§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further tests his Ministry intends to run to investigate the possible presence of quantities of diethylene glycol in sweets, pasties, sausage rolls, cakes and puddings; and what guidelines he intends to issue to packaging material manufacturers about replacing diethylene and monothylene glycols in regenerated cellulose film for wrapping food.
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§ Mrs. FennerManufacturers of regenerated cellulose film used for wrapping food have already taken steps to replace diethylene and monothylene glycol with alternative softeners. In addition, I expect that agreement will soon be reached on a proposal to amend the EC directive on regenerated cellulose film (directive 83/229/EEC) by introducing more stringent controls on the use of these glycols.
Once agreed, this amendment will provide statutory backing to the measures already adopted by the manufacturers. My Department is continuing to carry out regular tests on food wrapped in regenerated cellulose film.