§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the consumption of confectionery per capita in European Economic Community countries; and whether there is any correlation between increased consumption of sweets and teeth decay.
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§ Mr. WigginThe following table shows trade estimates of per capita consumption of chocolate and sugar confectionery in EEC countries for 1977, the latest year for which figures are available.
I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services that whilst there is an association between tooth decay and the consumption of sugars from sweets and other foodstuffs, a direct correlation cannot be established, because of the relevance of several other factors such as the frequency of consumption—especially between normal mealtimes—the physical form of the foodstuff, the standard of individuals' oral hygiene, and the effective use of preventive dental measures.
Estimated annual per capita consumption of chocolate and sugar confectionery in Kg per head in EEC countries Belgium/Luxembourg 9.92 France 6.68 Federal Republic of Germany 11.21 Italy 3.00 Netherlands 11.19 Denmark 10.04 United Kingdom 11.99 Ireland no available data Source
Compiled from returns made by national associations of chocolate and confectionery manufacturers to the industry's Joint International Statistics Committee, supplemented by data from CAOBISCO—the association of confectionery interests of the EEC—and the United Kingdom's Cocoa, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance.