Earl Fortescueasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to make an announcement about food irradiation in the United Kingdom.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)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 Members of Parliament. 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 ACIN F'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 1274WA would also be statutory provision for the labelling of irradiated foods and food ingredients.
My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture will now arrange for further work to be carried out to examine the scope and format of any controls. Consultation 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.