HC Deb 20 April 1989 vol 151 cc285-6W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has further information on the aluminium content of infant formulae.

Mr. Ryder

My Department's food science division has recently carried out a survey of the aluminium content of 10 brands of commonly available infant formulae. The Department of Health's independent expert committee on the toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment has considered the results of the survey. It concluded that the intakes of aluminium are well within the safety limits established by the World Health Organisation. Despite this it asked for further research to be undertaken, which will show whether or not further action is needed. Research on the bioavailability of aluminium from food has been commissioned at Southampton university. Work is in hand on identifying the forms in which aluminium occurs in foods and investigating the precise source of the aluminium in infant formulae. Consideration is also being given to the further work needed on the gastro-intestinal absorption and renal clearance of aluminium by infants.

Further information is contained in a food facts press notice being issued today, copies of which I am placing in the Library of the House.