§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of food poisoning notifications to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys(a) for each year since 1982 and (b) in 1994 to the latest available date.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe information is shown in the table.
Food poisoning notifications: England and Wales, 1982–1994 Number 1982 14,253 1983 17,735 1984 20,702 1985 19,242 1986 23,948 1987 29,331 1988 39,713 1989 52,557 1990 52,145 1991 52,543 1992 63,347 19931 69,955 19941 264,959 1Provisional figures. 2Notifications to 7 October. There is no single explanation for the rising trend in food poisoning. A contributory factor may be a reduction in under-reporting. On 22 October 1993, my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health announced the start of a major study of infectious intestinal diseases in England. The purpose of the study is to establish the incidence, sources, causes and socio-economic costs of infectious intestinal disease. This is the most comprehensive study of its type ever attempted. It will involve more than 70 general practices and more than 20,000 volunteers. The study will be completed in mid-1995.
687W
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures available for this year of the total number of laboratory reports of salmonella in foodstuffs to the Public Health Laboratory Service in England and Wales.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Public Health Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens has confirmed that to the end of September, 1,152 food isolates submitted were found positive for salmonella.