§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussion he has held with representatives of the World Health Organisation regarding the use of canthaxanthin in commercially produced eggs.
§ Mr. MacleanNone. But I am aware that the monograph published recently by the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives takes a similar position to the independent scientific committees which have advised the United Kingdom Government.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to provide funds for the development of alternatives to use of canthaxanthin in food and animal feedstuffs.
§ Mr. MacleanI understand that acceptable alternatives to the use of canthaxanthin in food and animal feedstuffs are already available.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the use of canthaxanthin in commercially produced eggs.
§ Mr. MacleanI have received a small number of representations on the use of canthaxanthin in commercially produced eggs from egg producers, trade associations and colour manufacturers. Most were in response to the formal consultation on the Food Advisory Committee's report on the review of colours in food regulations.