HC Deb 18 March 1977 vol 928 cc345-6W
Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce regulations to phase out the use of saccharin in manufactured food and drink, following the proposed ban on the use of this substance in the United States of America and Canada; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jopling

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take action on the use of saccharins, similar to that of the United States Government who have banned it; and if he will make a statement.

$ billion
1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
HMG 0.1 0.1 0.7 1.2 2.0 1.1 0.8 0.7 0.1
Other public sector 0.0 0.7 1.7 2.0 2.7 1.6 0.8 0.6 0.1

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the use and safety of the artificial sweetener, saccharin, in view of the announcement made by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Mr. John Silkin

Following recent research in Canada, the Governments of the United States and Canada have announced that they propose to phase out the use of saccharin. On information available to me, I see no reason why we should follow suit. But the data and results of this research will now be examined by our expert committees, and I shall only decide whether further action is necessary when I have their advice.