HC Deb 15 April 1953 vol 514 cc192-3
29 Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Food (1) if the number of days involved in the original experiment in 1942, when, after a diet in which 50 per cent. of the calories were supplied from flour of 92 per cent. extraction, it was noted that absorption of calcium decreased;

(2) his reasons for continuing the fortification of bread with chalk; and whether, in view of recent research he will consider revising his policy; and

(3) whether he has noted the fact that the human body can and does acclimatize itself to high intakes of phytic acid if ingested over a prolonged period; and whether he will now cease to fortify bread with chalk.

Major Lloyd George

In the 1942 experiment referred to the subjects were under observation for 21 to 28 days. As stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Bucks on 11th February calcium carbonate is now added to flour to ensure that total food supplies provide sufficient calcium to meet nutritional requirements. Flour provides nearly 30 per cent. of the total amount of calcium in the diet; and any adverse effect of phytic acid on its absorption is of small importance in relation to that amount.

Dr. Stross

Does the Minister think that after all these years we should still be tied to one single experiment which lasted only three or four weeks as a result of which we have been imbibing or ingesting large quantities of chalk in our bread ever since? Has not he been informed of more recent work which shows that phytic acid is not detrimental to human beings and that we do not need to nibble away the cliffs of Dover entirely against a danger which we feel now does not exist at all? Will not the Government look at the matter again?

Major Lloyd George

We are prepared to look at anything, because this is a matter of tremendous importance to the nation as a whole. It is true that the experiments lasted only three or four weeks, but they were repeated on several occasions during many months. The best opinion at the moment is that there would be a deficiency of calcium in the national diet of 30 per cent. if we did not add to the flour.

Dr. Stross

Is the Minister aware that no one denies the validity of the specific experiment which he mentioned but that recent research has shown that chalk in flour is not needed, for the human body adapts itself to the increased phytic acid which is found in wholemeal flour?

Major Lloyd George

As the hon. Gentleman appreciates, this is a technical matter. While I should be only too happy to discuss it with him, I think that it would be far better if he discussed it with someone with greater knowledge than I possess.