§ Mr. HollandTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish the comparative figures for aluminium levels in the various brands of cow and soya baby milk formulae; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderI repeat the undertaking given to the hon. Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Mr. Galbraith) as to publication of the results of the Ministry's survey(Official Report, columns 608–9). It is not my policy, however, to disclose information by brand name.
§ Mr. HollandTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to ensure the withdrawal of brands of cow and soya baby milk formulae with high levels of aluminium in the light of recent research by the Medical Research Council and Dr. Mary McGraw of Southmead hospital.
§ Mr. RyderI am aware of the research mentioned. In addition, my own Department has recently completed a survey of infant formulae.
I shall take any necessary action when the results have been assessed by my Department with the Department of Health.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the outside experts consulted by his Department on the effect on babies of food containing high levels of aluminium;
(2) on what date his Department first received information that some popular brands of baby milk contain high levels of aluminium;
(3) what urgent steps his Department has taken in order to stop baby milk with high levels of aluminium being sold in shops.
§ Mr. RyderThere have been a number of reports about aluminium in baby milk, dating back to 1985. As a result of these, my Department carried out a study on the levels of aluminium in infant formulae which has now been completed. The results of this survey have been referred to the Department of Health's independent medical and scientific advisory committee on toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment and I will take their advice into account in deciding whether and what action is needed.