§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to ban the use of the chemical tartrazine as a food additive; what representations he has as to which countries already ban its use; and if he,, will estimate the number of people who are allergic to tartrazine.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOn the evidence and the expert advice available to the Government, a ban on tartrazine as a food additive is not warranted. Indirect evidence suggests that it affects perhaps between one and 15 people in every 10,000. I have not received any representations as to which countries already ban its use. Tartrazine is an approved additive in the European Community and the United States of America. I believe that it is not permitted in Norway, Finland and Austria, but that appears to be the result of general policies on food colouring in those countries.