HC Deb 07 February 2001 vol 362 cc570-1W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action officials from his Department take to(a) monitor and (b) receive information about the levels of (i) polybrominated diphenyl ethers and (ii) dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals. in fish; and if he will publish information obtained for each of the last 10 years. [148820]

Ms Stuart

[holding answer 5 February 2001]: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the Government have been monitoring and releasing information for dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals in food, including fish, for over 10 years. Information on fish has been published in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's Food Surveillance Paper No. 31, and Food Surveillance Information Sheets Nos. 71, 89, 105, 145 and 184. The most recent information has been collected by the Agency and published in FSA Food Surveillance Information Sheet No. 4. Copies of all the above documents are available in the Library of the House.

Similar information on polybrominated diphenyl ethers is not yet available. However, the FSA is intending to start a programme of surveys on polybrominated diphenyl ethers and other related compounds in the near future. The results of this programme will also be publicly released.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effects on human health of the consumption of more than one (i) 100g and (ii) 130g portion of farmed salmon per week, with particular reference to(a) pregnant women and (b) children under the age of four years; and if he will make a statement. [148819]

Ms Stuart

[holding answer 5 February 2001]: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that the health benefits of eating moderate amounts of fish, including farmed salmon, as part of a well-balanced diet outweigh any possible risk to health associated with dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls in food. The FSA recommends that as part of a balanced diet people should eat two portions of fish per week, one of which should be oily. Pregnant women and small children are advised to follow the same general advice on fish consumption. Consumption of more than a large portion (i.e. a 130g portion) of salmon per week is unlikely to be harmful, provided that it is consistent with a balanced diet.