§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recommendations have been made to him concerning which artificial sweeteners should be allowed in foodstuffs (a) for adults and (b) for children; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerA report by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee on sweeteners in food was published on 10 March and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. Regulations made under the Food and Drug Acts list those substances which may be used as sweeteners and the committee recommend that five further sweeteners should be permitted. The committee also recommend that sweeteners other than sugars should not be permitted in foods manufactured specifically for babies66W and young children. I have invited comments on the report from all interests concerned, before taking a decision on new regulations.