§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of 1061W Food whether calcium is at present being added to the Government remforced loaf; and, it so, in what form and dosage?
Major Lloyd GeorgeCalcium is not at present being added to any white flour, but my Noble Friend is hoping to make an early statement on this matter.
§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that the addition to synthetic vitamin B1 to bread and other commonly used foods, without control over the intake level, carries a potentiality of harm; and, in view of the impossibility of exercising this control, he will reconsider his decision to add this chemical product to the white flour supplied under the direction of his Department?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe amount of synthetic vitamin B1 that is being added to white flour raises its B1 content to about that of national wheatmeal. The addition of the vitamin is carefully controlled and constantly checked so that any variations in the level of intake of vitamin B1, due to different levels of bread consumption, applies equally to both types of bread. I am advised, however, that there is no possibility whatever of any harmful effects from the vitamin B1 at any level of bread consumption in either fortified white bread or national wheatmeal bread and I should be glad if my hon. Friend would give me the grounds on which he makes a statement in the contrary sense.