HL Deb 19 May 1977 vol 383 cc1067-8WA
Lord SHINWELL

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of their undertaking on 12th May 1977 (col. 364), they are able to list the published reports relating to food contaminants, additives and similar substances which are or may be present in food or used in its preparation.

Lord STRABOLGI

The Food Additives and Contaminants Committee was set up in 1964 with the express duty of advising Ministers on these matters. It exercises a continuous oversight of all developments both nationally and internationally. The Committee has published reports on the following subjects:

Subject Date of Report
Aldrin and Dieldrin 1967
Antioxidants 1965, 1966, 1971, 1975
Azodicarbonamide 1968
Bread and Flour Additives 1971
Cyclamates 1966, 1967
Emulsifiers and Stabilisers 1970, 1972
Flavourings 1976
Further Classes of Food Additives 1968
(Acids, Anti-caking agents, Anti-foaming agents, Bases, Buffers, Firming and Crisping Agents, Glazing agents, Humectants, Propellents, Release Agents, Sequestrants)
Lead in Food 1975
Liquid Freezants 1972, 1974
Mineral Hydrocarbons 1975
Packaging Materials 1970
Preservatives 1972
Solvents 1966, 1974
In addition, the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee has made recommendations on mercury, cadmium and lead in food in the reports published by the Working Party on the Monitoring of Foodstuffs for Heavy Metals.

Before the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee was set up as a separate Committee, the Food Standards Committee published reports on the following subjects:—

Subject Date of

Report

Antioxidants 1953, 1954,

1963

Arsenic 1950, 1951,

1955

Colouring Matter 1955, 1964
Copper 1951, 1956
Emulsifiers and Stabilisers 1956
Flavouring Agents 1965
Fluorine 1953, 1957
Lead 1951, 1954
Mineral Oils in Food 1962
Preservatives 1959
Saccharin and other

sweetening tablets

1952
Tin in Canned Food 1952
Zinc 1954
All these reports are published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.