HC Deb 02 July 1969 vol 786 cc417-8
22. Mr. John Hall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the United States Food and Drug Administration to introduce new labelling regulations for food products and beverages, artificially sweetened with cyclamates, which will necessitate indicating the precise amount of cyclamate contained therein; and whether, in the interests of safety and public health, he will consider amending the current United Kingdom regulations relating to the labelling of such products.

Mr. Hoy

My right hon. Friend is aware of the labelling proposals which the United States Food and Drug Administration is now considering. While we are continuing to keep the use of cyclamates in the United Kingdom under review, my right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friends see no justification for introducing similar provisions into our regulations.

Mr. Hall

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this action by the United States authority shows the mounting anxiety which is felt about the increasing use of cyclamates? Would he not also agree that the consumer has the right to know what additives of this kind have been added to his food so that in the interests of his own health he can limit the intake in any given period?

Mr. Hoy

The conditions in America are not the same as they are here. Consumption in America is very much higher than it is in this country. The United States Food and Drug Administration has recently recommended the same acceptable daily intake as ours.

Mr. Peter M. Jackson

Would my right hon. Friend agree that his reply was perhaps a little complacent? He refers to the intake in the United States compared with the intake in this country. It may well be that in five years' time the intake of cyclamates in this country will be comparable to the intake in the United States. Are we then to wait another five years for this information?

Mr. Hoy

No. We are not complacent. We have examined the matter and keep it specifically under review. The Food Additives and Contaminants Committee has made recommendations to us. We shall be reviewing the situation again. I assure my hon. Friend that there is no complacency.