§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many outbreaks of food poisoning occurred following the consumption of food prepared in National Health Service hospitals during 1988; how many people were infected; of that total, how many fatalities occurred; which hospitals were involved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanAccording to the Public Health Laboratory service, in 1988, 21 outbreaks of food poisoning or salmonellosis were reported in hospitals in England and Wales. Information is not available about how many of these outbreaks occurred following the consumption of food prepared or brought into NHS hospitals. Information on which hospitals were involved is not available centrally. At least 281 people are known to have been affected in these outbreaks. Four deaths were recorded, of which one was attributed to the infection associated with the outbreak.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action he is proposing to take to ensure the wholesomeness of imported paté;
(2) whether he will now review all existing procedures relating to the quality control of imported foods.
§ Mr. MellorAll imported foods are subject to the Imported Food Regulations 1984, which prohibit the importation of unfit food. Whenever food is found to be unfit, either on importation or subsequently in this country, action is taken to prevent its sale for human consumption, to advise the exporting country so that action may be taken to deal with contamination at source.
We are reviewing food legislation generally but we have no plans at present to change the procedures.