§ Mr. Dorrellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is yet in a position to publish the report on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated foods by the advisory committee on irradiated and novel foods; and if he will make a statement.
§ 32. Mr. Litherlandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on his consideration of proposals to seek to change the law relating to irradiation of food.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods, chaired by Sir Arnold Burgen, has presented to Health and Agriculture Ministers its "Report on the Safety and Wholesomeness of Irradiated Foods". I should like to place on record our appreciation of the thorough reviews which have been carried out by the advisory committee, by those specialist bodies which it consulted, and by the Food Advisory Committee which dealt with the labelling aspects of irradiated foods.
The report advises that ionising irradiation up to an overall average dose of 10 kilogray, correctly applied, provides an efficacious food preservation treatment which will not lead to a significant change in the natural radioactivity of the food or prejudice the safety and wholesomeness of the food; that there is no justification on public health grounds for the process not to be 181W permitted within the dose range advised; and that the benefits offered by the process present strong grounds for a general clearance to be granted to this extent. The Food Advisory Committee recommends that irradiated foods and food containing irradiated ingredients should be clearly indicated as such throughout manufacture and at the point of sale.
My colleagues and I have decided that, in order to stimulate public debate on the subject, the report should be published. Copies are available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office and booksellers from today (price £4.50). A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Interested organisations and individuals wishing to make comments on the report should send them in writing to my Department to arrive not later than the end of July. Comments received will be taken fully into account when Ministers formally consider the advice contained in the report.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received about the irradiation of food; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeA few representations about food irradiation have been received recently from hon. Members, organisations and members of the public. These and the representations to be received on the "Report on the Safety and Wholesomeness of Irradiated Foods," the publication of which I announced today will be fully considered in the light of the report.