HC Deb 24 October 1989 vol 158 cc443-4W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the research projects he is funding into the packaging of food; which of these have been identified as being near market; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

The following research projects relating to the packaging of food are currently being funded by my Department. Only projects 18 and 19 on the list are classified as near market and funding on this research will end before March 1990. The remainder will continue as necessary in line with the Government's commitment to address and resolve food safety and hygiene issues of concern to taxpayers, consumers, producers and industry.

  1. (1) The effects of electron-beam irradiation on additives present in food contact plastics.
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  2. (2) Examination of the possibility of setting testing priorities for substances used in food contact materials.
  3. (3) Mathematical and physical models of migration from food contact plastics.
  4. (4) Assessment of consumer exposure to the differing types of retail packaging.
  5. (5) Transformation of antioxidants during processing of polyolefins and subsequent migration.
  6. (6) Feasibility study as to whether it is possible to set levels at which food contact materials become organoleptically unacceptable.
  7. (7) Development of a simple method for the determination of fat on the surface of food.
  8. (8) Migration from food-contact plastics (ovenable materials) at elevated temperatures.
  9. (9) Migration from non-ovenable food contact materials at elevated temperatures.
  10. (10) Migration testing of materials and articles intended for use in microwave ovens and combination ovens.
  11. (11) Studies on vinyl chloride oligomers with a potential for migration into foods.
  12. (12) Migration from metal containers into foods.
  13. (13) Secondary interactions of species migrating into food.
  14. (14) Development of analytical methods for substances on EC positive list of monomers for food contact materials.
  15. (15) Feasibility of producing extracts of plastics for toxicological testing.
  16. (16) Feasibility of setting up a reference collection of monomers and additives used in food contact plastics.
  17. (17) Development of analytical methods for and measurement of migration of mineral hydrocarbons from food contact materials into foods.
  18. (18) Optimum conditions for maintaining quality in packaged fruit and vegetables.
  19. (19) Packaging Techniques for Improved Storage and Display.