§ 28. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the terms of reference of the food additives and contaminants review of the use of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in food packaging; and what restriction is being put on such use while the results of the study are awaited.
§ Mr. MoyleMy Ministry's scientists put in hand a study of monomers in food and drink from PVC early in 1973 in the light of information from the United States of America. The results have been submitted to the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee which considers that at the tiny levels at which these monomers are present, and in view of the lack of any evidence of a hazard to health through ingestion, there is no need to restrict the use of PVC. The matter is, however, being kept under review.