§ 69. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Food what syrups are being sup plied in Aberdeen and the North-east Coast of Scotland which contain vitamins; what is the average content, in terms of international units, of these syrups; and what are the present points requirements in connection with the purchase by retailers of these vitamin-containing syrups.
§ Dr. SummerskillAs the reply is rather long and includes a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT
§ Following is the reply:
§ Under the Ministry of Food's Welfare Foods Scheme orange juice and cod liver oil compound are always available to expectant mothers and to children holding R.B.2 ration books, and, as an alternative to cod liver oil, expectant mothers may obtain vitamin A and D tablets. Orange juice jelly, which is in good sup ply, is available to hospitals and to children and young persons under 18 years of age at school canteens and feeding centres and at day or boarding schools and orphanages.
§ Blackcurrant puree and blackcurrant syrup are normally available in retail chemist shops for children up to the age of 18, and to invalids and persons needing special supplies of vitamin C. Rose hip syrup, and proprietary brands of cod 1872 liver oil and vitamin syrups are also on sale without restriction in chemist shops.
§ The minimum vitamin C potencies guaranteed for orange juice, orange juice jelly, blackcurrant puree and blackcurrant syrup, expressed as international units (20 units equivalent to I milligram of vitamin C) are:
§ Orange juice—1,200 units per fluid ounce.
§ Orange juice jelly—240 units per ounce weight.
§ Blackcurrant puree—400 units per fluid ounce.
§ Blackcurrant syrup—400 units per fluid ounce.
§ The vitamin C potency of rose hip syrup is about 1,140 units per fluid ounce.
§ The vitamin A and D potencies of cod liver oil compound and vitamin A and D tablets are:
§ Cod liver oil compound—28,000 to 32,000 units vitamin A per fluid ounce; 5,600 to 6,400 units vitamin D per fluid ounce.
§ Vitamin A and D tablets—4,000 units vitamin A per tablet; 800 units vitamin D per tablet.
§ No points are required for the purchase of any of these items.