§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the present retail market share of various infant milk formulations; and if he will distinguish separately those using products containing soya, giving their aluminium content.
§ Mr. CurryI have been asked to reply.
Soya-based infant formulae have been analysed for aluminium content by my Department. The content was in the range of 0.64–1.34 mg/litre, with a mean of 0.98 mg/litre. These results, which have been published in the scientific literature, are similar to those reported by other research workers. It is not our policy to disclose information by brand name. The Department of Health's independent Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment has considered this Department's results and has advised that no action is needed to reduce aluminium from infant formulae.