§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice or guidance he intends to give to the forces about the use of irradiated food; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonTo date the Ministry of Defence has not knowingly procured food treated by ionising radiation. Of the classes of food which, under the Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations 1990, may now be irradiated we do not envisage large scale procurement of such products, given the current high cost involved in processing food in such a way. However, if we were to purchase permitted irradiated foods, we would follow the requirements detailed in the Food Labelling (Amendment) (Irradiated Food) Regulations 1990.