§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the total number and types of food additives used in United Kingdom food manufacturing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThere are around 320 additives specifically approved for use in the United Kingdom. The use of flavours, enzymes and modified starches is also permitted within the general provisions of the Food Acts.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans any new initiatives relating to the use of additives in food; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe Food Advisory Committee and the Committee on Toxicity already keep under constant review the use of additives in food. Officials are considering ways in which food purchasers might be better and more accurately informed of the safeguards taken before additives are permitted.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the policy on the use of flavours, modified starches and enzymes in food manufacture, with special reference to the recommendations put to him by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee;
(2) if he has any plans to introduce a positive permitted list for flavours, modified starches and enzymes in food manufacture.
§ Mr. GummerThe use of flavours, modified starches and enzymes is permitted subject to the general provisions626W of the Food Act 1984. Proposals for European Community directives to control flavours and modified starches, more specifically, are under consideration by the member states. I am still examining the comments that I received on the FACC report on enzymes.