§ 58. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to control the colouring materials put into foodstuffs so as to ensure that no substances deleterious to human health will be added.
Dr. HillThe use of certain colouring matters including certain coal-tar colours is already prohibited.
A report of the Food Standards Committee on the addition to foods of colouring matters, including coal-tar colours, has recently been published. As is customary, it is proposed to await representations from interested parties before reaching a decision on the Committee's recommendations.
§ 64. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Food what type of dye is used for the purpose of colouring some types of sugar, details of which have been sent to him, purple, yellow, and green; and whether he will make a statement on the possible dangers to health that are involved.
Dr. HillThe Public Health (Preservatives in Food) Regulations forbid the use of five named coal-tar colours, but I have no reason to suppose that any one of these is being used in the coloured sugars in question. If the hon. Member has any information to the contrary, I should be glad if he would let me have it.