HC Deb 21 June 1967 vol 748 cc1695-6
5. Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will either introduce legislation to restrict the water content of bread, or to impose severe price control on bread with a high water content.

Mr. Hoy

No, Sir. In accordance with the recommendation of the Food Standards Committee, the Bread and Flour Regulations make no provision for a maximum moisture content.

Mr. Carter-Jones

My hon. Friend must be aware that there is an increasing percentage of water in our bread and that as the water content and the air content rise, we stand in grave danger of being the nation making the most costly purchases of water and wind.

Mr. Hoy

I do not have my hon. Friend's experience. We have received virtually no complaints in this respect. Only an optimum amount of water can be used in making any batch, or it would otherwise show in the end product. However, if my hon. Friend has any specific complaint, local inspectors would be grateful if he would make it known to them.