§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what temperature of refrigeration is recommended by his Department to prevent the growth of listeria.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAppropriate storage temperatures for chilled food depend on factors such as the length of and the type of food. We are satisfied that the times and storage temperatures recommended in our guidelines on pre-cooked chilled food in catering produce a microbiologically sound product. In addition, as I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms. Walley) on 27 January, we are preparing separately guidelines for retailed chilled foods which will be issued as soon as possible.