§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all food additives which currently have approval for use in food, giving in each case, the year of approval; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerAll currently approved food additives are listed in the back of our free booklet "Food Additives—The Balanced Approach", available from Food Sense, London SE99 7TT. Since publication of the list, one new sweetener, Lactitol, has been added and as a result of an EC directive four emulsifiers—polyoxyethylene (8) stearate (430), polyoxyethylene (40) stearate (431), lactylated fatty acid esters of glycol and propane-1, 2-diol (478), and dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate (—) have been deleted, and two added tartaric acid esters of mono and diglycerides of fatty acids (E472(d)), and mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono and diglycerides of fatty acids (E472(f)).
I will send the hon. Member a copy of the booklet.
The dates of current approval are the dates of the relevant regulations, a list of which I will also send to the hon. Member. The information requested on the individual approval dates could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the food additives for which he has withdrawn approval giving in each case the year when the additive was withdrawn; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerCyclamic acid, a sweetener, and its sodium and calcium salts were withdrawn in 1969. The Colouring Matter in Food Regulations 1973 have been amended several times as follows
in 1975 Orange RN was withdrawn; in 1976 Fast Yellow AB, Orchil or Orcein, Solanthrene Blue RS or Anthragen Blue or Indanthrene Blue Black 7984 and Burnt Umber were withdrawn; in 1978 in order to implement an EC directive, Orange G, chocolate brown FB, the channel black form of carbon black were withdrawn; and in 1987 yellow 2G was withdrawn.In order to implement an EC directive the following emulsifiers and stablisers were withdrawn in 1989:Ployoxyethylene (8) stearate, polyoxyethylene (40) stearate, lactylated fatty acid esters of glycol and propane-1 2-diol, and dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate.We have recently announced an intention to prohibit the use of mineral hydrocarbons in food, and potassium bromate as a flour improver. We have also accepted the advice of the Food Advisory Committee that the colours, crocin, santalin, solvent-extracted annatto, canthaxanthin and capsanthin/capsorubin should be removed from the permitted list, although in the case of the last three, Community action will be required.