Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods (Hansard, 4 February 1988)

§ Mr. Ron Davies
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the second report of the Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods; and if he will make a statement.

§ 77. Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to make an announcement about the future of irradiation of foodstuffs.

§ 78. Mr. Tony Lloyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to be able to make an announcement concerning Government proposals for the irradiation of food; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Frank Cook
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to make his response to the consultative report from the Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods: and if he will make a statement.

§ Mrs. Currie
[holding answer 22 January 1988]: In April 1986 the Government published the report of the Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods (ACINF) on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated foods and sought comments on it. Some 6,000 letters have been received from members of the public, interested organisations and hon. Members. In the light of these, further advice was sought from the ACINF which reaffirmed its earlier advice that, under the conditions prescribed, irradiated food is safe and wholesome. Having carefully considered the arguments, Ministers for Health and Agriculture have accepted this advice. Copies of ACINF's further advice to Ministers have been placed in the Library and it is our intention to make copies publicly available.
The committee drew attention to certain practical issues relating to the monitoring and control of irradiated foods and enforcement. The Government have therefore decided to maintain the present general prohibition on irradiated foods until they are satisfied that effective regulatory controls can be drawn up for the irradiation of specific foods in order to bring about good industrial and marketing practices and ensure informed consumer choice. Such controls should include assurances on the quality of the particular foods to be irradiated, requirements as to the maintenance of documentary records, the licensing of premises and inspection of operations. The availability of detection tests will be one of the factors to be taken into consideration and there would also be statutory provision for the labelling of irradiated foods and food ingredients.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will now arrange for further work to be carried out to examine the scope and format of any controls. Consultations under the Food Acts will not be initiated until Ministers are satisfied that there is adequate provision to ensure the prevention of abuse and the protection of consumer choice. At the same time, working with our European partners we will endeavour to achieve a common approach to the irradiation of food throughout the European Community.