§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent evidence she has(a) commissioned and (b) received on the causes of salmonella food poisoning.
§ Mr. SackvilleA number of research/surveillance projects have been commissioned which will aid surveillance and throw further light on the sources of human salmonella infection. The largest is a study of infectious intestinal disease in England being carried out on behalf of the steering group on the microbiological safety of food which will provide more information on the sources and true incidence of salmonella infection. Initial results from the study are expected in 1994–95. Other steering group surveillance studies across the food chain specifically look for salmonella, with a view to identifying where contamination occurs and can be controlled.
The advisory committee on the microbiological safety of food (ACMSF) has assessed the contribution made by eggs to human foodborne salmonellosis. The ACMSF report on salmonella in eggs was published on 9 February 1993: copies will be placed in the Library. The ACMSF is currently reviewing hygiene practices in the poultrymeat industry. Such a review will include an assessment of the possible links between poultrymeat and human foodborne disease. The ACMSF expects to report to the United Kingdom Health and Agriculture Ministers in mid-1994.
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what health evidence recommendations for the storage and handling of eggs are based; and if she will make a statement;
(2) on what specific evidence it was concluded in cases of salmonella food poisoning where foods containing eggs were found to be the source that the source of salmonella in the food was eggs rather than any other potential source; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe role of eggs in human salmonellosis was considered in depth by the advisory committee on the microbiological safety of food, whose report "Salmonella in Eggs" was published on 9 February 1993, and included recommendations about the storage and handling of eggs. Copies of the report and the Government's response which endorsed these recommendations are available in the Library.
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§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Health on what specific evidence the Chief Medical Officer bases the health warnings given on eggs; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe then Chief Medical Officer issued advice, 88/285, to the public on the safe handling of eggs on 26 August 1988.
This advice was endorsed by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food in their report "Salmonella in Eggs", published on 9 February 1993.
Copies of the advice and report will be placed in the Library.