HL Deb 30 October 1997 vol 582 cc250-1WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will commission a population study into the effects that lifestyle, diet and exposure to pesticides and chemical pollutants have upon the ability of children and adults to utilise vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

Baroness Jay of Paddington

There are no plans to carry out such a survey because population studies are not suitable to determine the ability of children and adults to utilise vitamins, minerals and trace elements. The Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food jointly commission a series of national diet and nutrition surveys of children and adults. Each survey collects detailed information on lifestyle characteristics, intakes of food and nutrients and blood levels of many vitamins, minerals and trace elements. The same surveys are used to estimate the exposure to pesticides and chemical pollutants of the subjects.