HC Deb 17 November 1955 vol 546 c776
52. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether imported molasses are classified by his Department as a food with medicinal properties; if he will require that all tins of this substance bear an analysis on their label; and what proportion of the total amount consumed annually is for human and cattle consumption, respectively.

Mr. Amory

It is not a function of my Department to classify foods with medical properties. The Food Standards Committee advise me that there is no case for specifying a standard of composition for molasses, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by requiring the disclosure of analysis on labels. I regret that information about the quantities consumed annually by human beings and cattle is not available.

Mr. Sorensen

While I appreciate that with certain medicines and medicinal foods an analysis already appears on the label of the tin or container, yet, seeing that there is a substantial increase in the consumption of this substance, presumably on the ground that it has medicinal properties, would it not be advisable to avoid any deception of purchasers by ensuring that the analysis is placed on the label?

Mr. Amory

This is the kind of point on which I rely on the Food Standards Committee.

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