§ Mrs. WiseTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned on the increase in listeriosis.
§ Mr. FreemanThe public health laboratory service is conducting a national survey of retailed and National Health Service cooked chilled food for the presence of listeria, and is undertaking detailed studies to assess the role of contaminated food in causing human cases of listeriosis. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have commissioned urgent research into areas such as the cooking conditions required to kill listeria monocytogenes in poultry meat, and the physical aspects of microwave cooking.
As soon as the appropriate scientific evidence is available from these and other outside studies, we will consider together with MAFF whether any further action is required.