§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how often the expert committee on microbiological safety in food has met; what topics it has discussed; and if he will refer the recent botulism outbreak to it.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe microbiological safety of food committee held its first meeting on 14 April, and has met at approximately weekly to fortnightly intervals since then. At the request of Ministers it has been looking at specific questions relating to the increasing incidence of microbiological illnesses of foodborne origin, particularly from salmonella, listeria and campylobacter. The committee has no role in the handling of acute emergencies such as the recent outbreak of botulism. Once the outbreak has been dealt with, the committee will he asked to consider and advise on its implications when formulating its recommendation on microbiological food safety.