§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department first made a full assessment of the risks to child health of pregnant mothers consuming soft cheese and other products liable to listeria; and on what date his Department's first guidance note on listeriosis was produced. [34248]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department of Health issued advice to the public about listeria in soft ripened cheese, cooked-chilled meals and ready-to-eat poultry on 10 February 1989 and about pâté on 12 July 1989 and 24 August 1989. This included specific guidance to pregnant women.
It would not be appropriate to comment on the timing of the Department's assessment of the health risks associated with foodborne listeriosis which is being considered as part of a current court case.
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§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Ministers and which Departments were involved in the timing of the Government's decision to warn publicly of the risks of miscarriages, stillbirths and serious illnesses in new born babies from listeriosis caused by consumption of some soft cheeses, cook-chill foods, chicken or pâté. [34310]
§ Mr. SackvilleHealth and Agriculture Ministers were involved in the decision to issue a warning about listeriosis.