HC Deb 10 June 1996 vol 279 cc50-1W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his most recent assessment of the health implications of drinking coffee; and if he will make a statement. [32093]

Mr. Horam

In November 1994, the Department published the report of the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food Policy on the nutritional aspects of cardiovascular disease. Its assessment was that coffee as drunk in the United Kingdom does not appear to affect coronary heart disease risk. A copy of that report is available in the Library.

The Department of Health's Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment last considered caffeine in 1983–94. COT concluded that, on the basis of the evidence available at that time, the consumption of caffeine either as an additive or naturally occurring in beverages would not cause any risk to health.