§ Ms QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action the Government have taken to inform the public about the health effects of E. coli 0157:117 bacteria in beef and unpasteurised milk; [3712]
(2) what information the Government have issued to health service providers concerning the public health effects of E. coli 0157:117 bacteria in beef and unpasteurised milk. [3714]
§ Mr. HoramThe Government act to improve food safety through a combination of legislation, codes of practice and advice, including leaflets. This is directed at the professions and the public, especially those in 407W Vulnerable groups. We attach great importance to the wide dissemination of information to ensure the importance of safe handling of food is understood by all. This information is relevant to all the organisms which cause food poisoning, including E. coli 0157.
Thorough cooking of food will destroy these organisms and this is stressed in all the advice we give. Members of the vulnerable groups are also advised to avoid uncooked food which carries a high risk of contamination.
The Chief Medical Officer has recommended that beefburgers should be cooked until the juices run clear and there are no pink bits inside. This advice was first given in 1991 and has been repeated since. We have recently revised the leaflet, "While you are pregnant: safe eating and how to avoid infection from food and from contact with animals" which gives advice on safe eating including raw meat and unpasteurised milk. This advice is repeated in the Health Education Authority's pregnancy book. The Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food have issued similar advice through their "Foodsense" leaflets. We have also published general guidance in "Food Handlers Fitness to Work: Guidance for Food Businesses, Enforcement Officers and Health Professionals". Copies of all these publications are in the Library.