§ 13. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the most recent advice from his Advisory Committee about the use of monosodium-glutamate in food; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesThis is a substance formed when natural protein foods such as beef and cheese are digested. I have asked the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee to advise on its use as a food additive and will consider the committee's recommendations as soon as I have them.
§ Mrs. ButlerCan my right hon. Friend give any indication when these recommendations will be received? In the meantime, will he look at the labelling regulations to enable mothers of small children and people with special health conditions such as kidney complaints to assess how much is too much when they eat combinations of foods containing monosodium-glutamate either at home or in Chinese restaurants?
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesWe must give the experts an opportunity to look at this problem properly. I cannot indicate the precise date for their report. As to baby foods, at least one manufacturer does not use monosodium-glutamate, and others have said that they will not use it in the future. Labels of all foods which carry a declaration of ingredients will state the presence of added M.S.G. in the form "monosodium-glutamate".