HC Deb 24 October 1983 vol 47 cc13-4W
Mr. Lester

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a new labelling regulation to warn consumers that artificial sweeteners should not be used in foods prepared in the home specifically for babies and young children.

Mrs. Fenner

No. There are no special risks from the use of sweeteners in the home which make this necessary.

Mr. Lester

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to implement the recommendation of the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee that artificial sweeteners should not be used in foods manufactured specifically for babies and young children.

Mrs. Fenner

We have already done so in the Sweeteners in Food Regulations 1983.

Mr. Lester

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the concern expressed by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee that much of the information considered by it when reviewing sweeteners in foods has not been published, he will arrange for the information to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mrs. Fenner

The scientific data remain the property of those who submitted them to the committee. I regret that even if they were content that these data should be placed in the Library, the cost to public funds would be disproportionate.