§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCHMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government: (a) what dyes, waxes, preservatives and other chemicals are used on citrus fruits; (b) what is known about the long-term effects upon health of consuming such substances; (c) from which countries citrus fruits so treated are imported; (d) whether any regulations are in force for informing the consumer that citrus fruits have been subjected to such treatments.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL WALDEGRAVE)My Lords, citrus fruit when harvested may contain small residues from the spraying or dusting of the trees during the growing period. The harvested fruit is often washed, which tends to remove the natural wax coating of the fruit, and it may be subsequently treated with a mixture of vegetable wax and mineral oil. I understand that this practice is common to all the major suppliers of this market, with the exception of Italy. The majority of countries exporting citrus fruit to this market also use a preservative to prevent wastage from mould growth; the substance most commonly use for this purpose is diphenyl. Most citrus fruit imported into this country is not artificially coloured, but in certain areas where oranges do not ripen with a uniform appearance, it is sometimes considered desirable to colour them.
Regulations under the Food and Drugs Act control the chemicals which may be left on the fruit as a result of these postharvest treatments. Citrus fruit imported into this country may not contain more 632 than 0.1 per cent. of mineral oil; or more than 100 parts per million of diphenyl or 70 parts per million of orthophenylphenol (or an admixture of these two in appropriate amounts). Only colouring matters specifically permitted for use in food may be used for the colouring of citrus fruit and then only if the words "colour added" are clearly and conspicuously marked on the skin of the fruit. In each of these cases, Her Majesty's Government has been advised by the Food Standards Committee that, on the evidence available, treatment of citrus fruits in accordance with these provisions will not have any adverse effects upon the health of the consumer.
§ LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCHMy Lords, am I to understand from that Answer that the only country from which citrus fruits are imported that are not treated in some of these ways is Italy?
EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, that is what I am informed. Italy is, I think, the only country which does not make use of these practices at the moment.
§ LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCHMy Lords, would it not be wise, therefore, for consumers to avoid fruit coming from other countries?