§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects his Department's research into the possible toxic effects of ochratoxin A in coffee and other foods to be completed and published. [23793]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 15 May 1995]: I refer the hon. member to my answer of 28 February 1995, Official Report, col. 481, for information on the MAFF-funded research and surveillance concerning the contamination of coffee by Ochratoxin A. In addition the results of surveys of other foodstuffs have been published in the "Food Safety Information Bulletin", September 1994 and January 1995 and in Food Surveillance Paper number 36, "Mycotoxins: Third Report." Copies are available in the Library. We are planning further work to increase our knowledge of UK dietary exposure to Ochratoxin A. This work is scheduled to be completed in 1998 and the results of any surveillance will be published in the usual manner in the bulletin.