§ Sir W. Teelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to test the danger of liver cancer developing from the use of margarine, peanut butter and some cooking oils made from groundnuts coming from Brazil and East and West Africa.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThere is no scientific evidence to suggest that human beings have suffered ill effects from the consumption of groundnuts, or their products. However, in view of the reports of ailments among animals which have consumed groundnut meal contaminated by a strain of the mould,Aspergillus ftavus, the Medical Research Council are investigating whether there could be a hazard to human health from consumption of the toxin which is produced by the mould. Investigations have shown that the toxin is not present in margarine or cooking oils. A few tests carried out on peanut butter have shown no toxin to be present but further tests are being conducted.