§ 56. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what substances are at present prescribed by his regulations for use in the manufacture of chewing gum to prevent it becoming stale.
§ Dr. StrossDoes that mean that any substance of any type may be used as an anti-staling agent in chewing gum at present, and if so, is the Minister aware that some of them are suspected of being thoroughly unhealthy and bad for people and indeed at times carcinogenic?
Mr. AmoryI do not think it means that at all, but that I have not prescribed by regulation any particular material that 1804 shall be used. I understand that no chemical preservative is added to chewing gum manufactured in this country.
§ Mr. E. FletcherDoes the answer of the Minister mean that it is not his policy to prevent chewing gum from going stale?
Mr. AmoryI am not quite sure what my policy is in this respect. I think that, within limits, the longer the gum lasts, the better.