§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cases of food poisoning during 1988 were traced to(a) food eaten outside the home, (b) chilled prepared meals eaten in the home and (c) retail packs of food;
163W(2) how many outbreaks of food poisoning were reported in 1988; how many were caused by chilled prepared meals; and how many by food eaten in restaurants and so on.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 13 March 1989]: Provisional data show that there were 472 outbreaks of food poisoning reported to the public health laboratory service in 1988. Information on the number of reported outbreaks associated with the consumption of food in the home or elsewhere is not yet available. Reports to the public health laboratory service do not usually provide information on the way a suspect food was processed or sold.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what scientific evidence he has suggesting that listeria monocytogenes can be eliminated by cook-chill catering that operates within his Department's 1980 guidelines.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 13 March 1989]: Studies by the Camden Food and Drink Research Association and the agriculture and food research council, Institute of Food Research, Norwich have shown that the heating and reheating temperature recommended in the 1980 guidelines will destroy listeria monocytogenes.
§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has studied the survey of the microbiological quality of airline meals carried out jointly with the food hygiene laboratory, Colindale and the health departments of the London borough of Hounslow and Spelthorne borough council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 13 March 1989]: I have not yet received a copy of this survey.