§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence is in the possession of his Department as
26Wincreases listed in his reply of 22nd February to the previous Question by the hon. Member [Vol. 851, c. 155–6] are as follows:
Commodity Date Meat products 29.11.72 and 21.12.72 Quick frozen fish products 29.1.73 Honey 1.2.73 Ground coffee 5.2.73 Animal feed 29.11.72 and 23.12.72 and 26.1.73 Fishmeal 4.1.73 Maize starch and glucose 7.2.73 Biscuit flour 11.1.73 Oatmeal 12.2.73 Pot and pearl barley 30.1.73 Newly distilled grain spirit and new malt whiskey. 5.2.73 Almond products 2.2.73 Skimmed milk powder 15.2.73 Between 22nd February and 2nd March my right hon. Friend gave the following consents:
to the passing of polychlorinated biphenyls into the food chain.
§ Mrs. FennerThe results of analyses carried out on food in this country indicate that minute quantities of polychlorinated biphenyls may be present in some foods. The analytical determination of these substances in food presents difficulties, since the minute quantities found are at or about the limits of determination of the methods available. I am advised that there is no evidence that the quantities so far found in food constitute any risk to the health of the consumer.