HC Deb 14 November 1989 vol 160 c197W
Mr. Michael Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the food hygiene regulations apply to aircraft.

Mr. Freeman

The Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 apply to ground-based airline catering establishments. However, these regulations are not enforceable on aircraft. Under the Food Act 1984, enforcement officers' powers of entry to aircraft are restricted to entry for the purpose of inspecting imported food.

I am announcing today that the Government will be seeking powers to update food legislation to extend food safety controls to food supplied to passengers on aircraft flying from British airports. We will be seeking similar powers to cover ships and oil and gas rigs within British territory. Primary legislation would not impose any specific obligations, but would permit regulations to be made setting out detailed requirements in the future. Any regulations which are made will be subject to consultation with interested organisations.

These powers will be sought as part of a wider Bill dealing with food safety, which will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits.