Mrs. RenéeShortasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy that no dyes be added to food intended for children aged one to three years; what steps he has taken to ensure that food manufacturers do not add dyes in such food; and what penalties are involved in the event of dyes being added.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI have already circulated proposals to amend the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations 1973 so as to provide inter alia that
No food specially prepared for babies and young children shall have in it or on it any added colouring matter other than any of the following added permitted colouring matters:Riboflavin or Lactoflavin E 101Riboflavin-5'-phosphatebeta Carotene E160(a).The proposals do not define "young children" so as to avoid limiting the extent of the. prohibition.
The riboflavins and beta-Carotene would be permitted because they are valuable vitamins or vitamin sources which also have colouring characteristics.
Persons contravening the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations are liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £2,000.