§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the percentage of the population which suffer (a) mild and (b) serious side effects from tartrazine dyes in food and drugs;
342W(2) what evidence he has for his statement in a. letter of 2 January that other food additives, in addition to tartrazine, may be just as capable of provoking adverse reactions;
(3) if he will name those food additives which are known to be capable of provoking adverse reactions;
(4) what further investigations have been made into the possibility of reactions to tartrazine since the interim report in 1979 by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee; when the definitive report will be published; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanThe mechanism for the production of adverse reactions to tartrazine is not yet fully understood. No suitable diagnostic tests are available to detect sensitivity to it. Hence no information exists to show what percentage of the United Kingdm population may suffer side effects to tartrazine dyes in food and drugs. Studies carried out in other countries on selected groups of patients suggests that 0.03 per cent. to 0.15 per cent. of the general population may be sensitive to tartrazine. This should be compared with the estimated 1 per cent. to 3 per cent. of the general population who suffer allergies to foods such as milk and eggs. Most of the documented reactions to tartrazine have been mild. Serious side effects are rare.
The United Kingdom is represented on the working party set up by the European Community Commission to consider the problem of adverse reactions to food additives. Its report will, later this year, be reviewed by the relevant United Kingdom advisory committees. Their advice will be considered by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and myself. I cannot go into details about the food additives which can cause adverse reactions until the advice of the committees is available. However, published reports on relevant studies include:
Freedman, B. J.—1977: Clin Allergy Vol. 7 407–415
Mikkelsen, H. et al—1978: Arch. Toxicol Supp. I 141–143.
Juhlin, L. 1981: Brit. J. Dermatol Vol. 104.