HC Deb 19 January 1989 vol 145 cc299-300W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce the incidence of food poisoning.

Mr. Freeman

Apart from regular liaison with the food industry and enforcement agencies, action is being taken on a number of fronts. The Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have a number of studies under way on a range of subjects; the public health laboratory service, in addition to its routine monitoring of laboratory reports, also has in train a number of specific studies. The Department is working with the manufacturing and retail sectors of the food industry on the prevention and control of contamination in foods.

On a wider front, the Department is jointly responsible with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the Food Act and legislation made under it. A review ol both the Act and the food hygiene regulations is under way.

We are considering what further action is necessary.