HC Deb 28 July 1989 vol 157 cc1074-5W
Mr. David Young

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the measures he intends to take to prevent adulteration and contamination of food.

Mr. Forth

I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

Mr. David Young

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases of product interference or adulteration there have been in the past 12 months.

Mr. Forth

[holding answer 27 July 1989]: The information is not available in respect of products generally in the form requested and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

Mr. David Young

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the average delay between retailers or manufacturers discovering the problem of food contamination or adulteration and their alerting consumers to the danger.

Mr. Forth

[holding answer 27 July 1989]: The responsibilty for the contamination of food rests with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, advised by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health.