§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in her Department's review of food safety and hygiene; and when its conclusions will be reported.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department has three major reviews under way in the area of food safety and hygiene. These form part of the Government's food law deregulation plan which my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced on 14 September 1993. These are
i. a wide-ranging review of all food temperature controls both in domestic and European Community legislation. A consultation on options both for change to United Kingdom legislation and for negotiation in the EC finished on 31 December. We shall make an announcement when the responses have been considered.ii. As part of the process of drafting regulations to implement the EC hygiene of foodstuffs directive, the Department has undertaken a review of domestic food hygiene legislation. We expect consultation on proposed new regulations will begin in February 1994. We plan to lay regulations before Parliament in the summer of 1994.iii. Under the EC hygiene of foodstuffs directive, the EC Commission must review the relationship between that directive and product specific food hygiene directives. We and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food aim to consult UK industry and other interests in the spring about options arising from the review before taking them forward to EC forums for discussion.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what decision her Department's review of food safety and hygiene has reached in respect of the responsibility on retailers to check suppliers' storage areas if a product arrived at the required temperature.
§ Mr. SackvilleThere is no requirement in food law for retailers to carry out checks on suppliers' storage areas.