§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the toxicity of sodium hexacyanoferrate; and what regulations govern its use.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe use of sodium hexacyanoferrate as a food additive is permitted under the Miscellaneous Additives in Food Regulations 1980 (as amended). It is used as an anti-caking agent in table salt. The Government are advised on the safety-in-use of food additives by the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment. It reviewed the food additive use of sodium hexacyanoferrate in 1988. The committee confirmed that sodium hexacyanoferrate was provisonally acceptable for use in food but requested that data be provided from further specified studies. These studies will be reviewed by the committee as soon as all data are submitted.