§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigations have been made into the side-effects of the red-pink colouring E127, known as erythrosine, used in seaside rock; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanE127, erythrosine, has been investigated by the Food Advisory Committee and the committee on toxicity as part of a review of the use of all colours currently permitted in food. The review showed that the normal consumption of seaside rock coloured with erythrosine does not present a toxicological hazard. However, I have accepted the Food Advisory Committee's advice that there is a need to reduce the level of colours generally in the diet and will be proposing new regulations that will include restrictions on the use of erythrosine as advised by the committee.