§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the foods which contain Tartrazine.
§ Mr. WigginTartrazine is used in a wide range of manufactured foods, including breakfast cereals, biscuits and flour confectionery, chocolate and sugar confectionery, ice cream and ice lollies, dessert products, table jellies, dried and powdered food mixes, canned soups and vegetables, meat and fish products, pickles and sauces, preserves, snack foods and soft drinks. The colour is used only in some products in each of these categories, not all.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will require all food manufacturers to indicate on labels when Tartrazine is used in the product.
§ Mr. WigginNo. The Government's independent advisory committees have classified this additive among those acceptable for use in food. The committees are however reconsidering the labelling of additives generally.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has for the statement made by one of his officials in a letter of 28 October 1980 that food manufacturers, who are well aware of reports of reactions to Tartrazine, are usually very helpful in advising people who need to avoid it that the ingredient is present in their product.
§ Mr. WigginMy Department is constantly in touch with all interests concerned with the food industry as producers, manufacturers, sellers, or consumers and is therefore familiar with trade practice. In connection with the case the right hon. Member refers to, confirmation was obtained from a number of major food manufacturers that they would supply the information on request.