§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on foodstuffs contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, in World Health Organisation categories 4.2.2.2 and 4.2.2.4, being sold within the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellThe public health laboratory service carries out regular surveys of a variety of foodstuffs including some from the two World Health Organisation categories identified in the question. The results demonstrate that listeria monocytogenes is widely distributed in the environment and that, as the WHO report concludes,
the total elimination of listeria monocytogenes from all food is impractical and may be impossible.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action he is taking to protect(a) AIDS/ARC patients, (b) pregnant women, (c) people with impaired immune systems, (d) elderly persons and (e) new-born babies from contamination by listeria monocytogenes; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what action he is taking to protect (a) AIDS/ARC patients, (b) pregnant women, (c) people with impaired immune systems, (d) elderly persons and (e) new-born babies from contamination by listeria monocytogenes within national health service hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellIn February 1989 the chief medical officer issued advice to vulnerable groups that they should avoid eating certain types of cheese and to reheat cooked-chilled meals and ready-to-eat poultry until they are piping hot. He issued further advice to vulnerable groups in July and August 1989 about pâte. Copies are in the Library. If anyone is uncertain whether they should follow this advice, they should consult their medical practitioner. The Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1990, which become operative in April 1991, will require more stringent temperature controls of chilled foods in the distribution chain.