§ 27 and 28. Dr. Broughtonasked the Minister of Food (1) if he will prohibit the use in food for human consumption of colours derived from coal tar;
(2) what action he proposes to take to implement the recommendations contained in the recent report of the Preservatives Sub-Committee of the Food Standard's Committee.
Dr. HillI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin) on 31st January, in which I said:
The use of certain colouring matters including certain coal-tar colours is already prohibited.A report of the Food Standards Committee on the addition to foods of colouring matters, including coal-tar colours, has recently been published. As is customary, it is proposed to await representations from interested parties before reaching a decision on the Committee's recommendations."
§ Dr. BroughtonIs the Minister aware that there is now a sufficiently large body of opinion which holds the view that any coal-tar derivatives in food may be injurious to health to warrant the Government taking action to prohibit such a practice? Has not the Minister powers to prevent this practice under the Food and Drugs (Amendment) Act, 1954?
Dr. HillIt is true that the Food Standards Committee proposes a radical change. At the moment certain colouring matters are prohibited. The change the Committee proposes is for the preparation of an approved list of substances which may properly be added to food. It is proper that the Minister, having received the report of the Committee, should await the comments of interested bodies—which have until 31st March to make those comments—before he reaches a final decision in the matter.