§ Mrs. WiseTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the action group for the relief of pain and distress was consulted specifically about the toxicity of comfrey prior to the announcement of the decision, to ban the sale of comfrey products.
§ Mr. SoamesMy hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) announced in March 1991 a full review of the safety and use of certain herbal substances, including comfrey. These substances had been removed from sale as medicines, for safety reasons, but could still be purchased as foods. A number of representations have been made in the years since that review was publicly announced. Comfrey was the first of these substances reviewed and the COT advice, together with that of the Food Advisory Committee, formed the basis for the action taken. That advice was unequivocal and there was no subsequent consultation prior to my announcement of 2 March 1993 of the voluntary withdrawal of certain comfrey products.