The report by the Food Safety Authority (FSA) found there were no important differences between food packaging and food and in many cases they were completely interchangeable.

By and large the report also concluded that there was also little or no difference in taste, smell or texture. The report did find that the packaging almost always looked more appetising than the actual food.

A spokesman for one of Mireland’s leading supermarket chains said they were more than happy with the report’s findings. “It simply serves to demonstrate the high standards we bring to everything,” he said. “We are very proud of the fact that our packaging is as good as our food.

However, the Mirish Organic Growers Society (MOGS) has criticised the report as misguided and ill-considered. “Don’t eat the food and don’t eat the packaging,” it said. “Don’t even eat the report.”

MOGS said consumers had to know the source of their food. “Don’t eat anything unless it has been produced by an organic farmer wearing a seamless robe,” it said.