§ Mr. CranTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take as a result of the recent review by the Food Advisory Committee on the use of potassium bromate in foodstuffs.
§ Mr. MacleanPotassium bromate is currently approved for use as a flour improver. That approval was given on the basis that when the flour was used in bread the baking process ensured that there were no residues left. Recently, improved analytical techniques have indicated that this is not necessarily the case and that there may be some very small residues. The Food Advisory Committee has thus recommended that approval for potassium bromate as a flour improver should be withdrawn. I accept that advice and as the law requires will be circulating the draft regulations for consultation today. Potassium bromate is also used in the brewing industry but there are not the same residue questions there and this usage will therefore be allowed to continue for the present.
I have deposited a copy of the Food Advisory Committee's advice in the Library of the House.