§ 39. Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the powers he has to regulate the extraction rate of flour; what is the present rate authorised by him; and what outside advice he takes before exercising any such powers.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartPowers exist under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, to control the composition of food.
The Bread and Flour Regulations, 1963, specify that certain nutrients must be present in flour at levels equivalent to an extraction rate of approximately 80–85 per cent.
Before making regulations advice is obtained as appropriate, from the Food Standards Committee, the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee and the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food Policy.