HC Deb 08 November 1999 vol 337 c451W
Jackie Ballard

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action his Department has taken and what plans he has to ensure children from atopic families avoid early sensitisation to nut products and that parents and carers are aware of the risk of sensitisation; [96442]

(2) what information his Department issues concerning anaphylaxis and contact between young children and nut products. [96439]

Yvette Cooper

The Department of Health asked the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), an advisory committee comprised of independent experts, to make recommendations to help reduce the prevalence of peanut allergy. The report was published in June 1998 and includes advice to parents of children from atopic families and pregnant mothers from atopic families about sensitisation to peanut products. Copies are available in the Library. In addition, a leaflet "Peanut Allergy—the Facts" which summarises the Committee's advice was sent to all GP surgeries in England. Copies of it are also available in the Library.