HC Deb 21 June 1993 vol 227 c70W
Mr. Hain

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if individuals may import comfrey products for their private use; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

The advice of the Government's independent expert committees is that consumption of comfrey products containing high levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids may give rise to toxic effects in humans. With the co-operation of the principal health food trade associations, I have taken action to protect consumers by securing the removal of relevant products from sale. However, this is not a legislative prohibition.