§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received and what information he has on a product recently marketed which purports to affect the blood-alcohol level; and if he will make a statement on the implications of the marketing of this product for matters within his responsibility.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI understand that the product to which my hon. Friend refers is a fructose-based drink which it is claimed reduces the level of alcohol in the body and can thus be used to make people safe to drive after consuming alcohol.
While the rate at which alcohol is absorbed can be affected by a number of factors, I have yet to see any satisfactory evidence that its elimination from the bloodstream can be artificially speeded up. I would therefore strongly advise motorists not to rely on products such as this as a means of avoiding the risks associated with drinking and driving. The only safe policy is never to drink and drive under any circumstances.