HC Deb 12 December 1988 vol 143 cc448-9W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether his Department issues guidance on the preparation and cooking of snipe and woodcock; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what is his assessment of the risk to the public of salmonella poisoning from the consumption of wild and reared game; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

The ubiquitous nature of salmonella and other food poisoning organisms suggests that the meat of any food animal has the potential to be contaminated. I have no evidence that game is a significant vehicle for food poisoning. However, the Department advises that as a general rule it is safest to cook food thoroughly and game is no exception. If frozen, cooking should be preceded by adequate thawing. Additional advice to consumers on the preparation and cooking of game is deemed unnecessary.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is his assessment of the risk to the public of salmonella poisoning from the consumption of duck and goose eggs; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what is his assessment of the risk to the public of salmonella poisoning from the consumption of quails' eggs; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

Duck eggs have always been recognised as being at risk of salmonella contamination but there is no evidence to suggest that there has been any increase in the level of contamination.

I understand that culinary practice is to hard boil duck and quail eggs. Goose eggs are rarely eaten.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his advice to the public concerning the risk of contracting salmonella poisoning from the consumption of turkey; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

As with any other food, turkeys should be thoroughly cooked. If frozen, cooking should be preceded by adequate thawing. Cross-contamination with other foods should be avoided.

The Department will be issuing the usual advice to consumers about thawing and cooking poultry at Christmas time.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many eggs were infected by salmonella in 1987 and 1988.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

It is not possible to give a precise estimate but, as I told the House on 5 December at column19, the risk of infection to any individual is small and the risk to the healthy adult is very small so long as the egg is cooked.