HC Deb 08 March 2000 vol 345 c754W
Mr. Etherington

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the results of the scientific review of fluoride and health commissioned from York University. [112099]

Yvette Cooper

The National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York is expected to provide their report to Ministers in the spring. It is intended that this report will be published shortly thereafter.

Mr. Etherington

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned on fluoride in(a) food, (b) soft drinks, (c) milk and (d) dental hygiene products. [112098]

Yvette Cooper

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Department of Health Joint Food Safety and Standards Group (JFSSG) has recently completed a survey of fluoride in the 1997 Total Diet Study, a national survey representative of the main types and proportions of foods making up the typical United Kingdom diet. This will show the amount of fluoride in the diet as a whole and in specific food groups including milk and beverages including soft drinks. The results are currently being processed and will be published in full. In addition a test of urinary fluoride is planned for inclusion in the forthcoming National Diet and Nutrition Survey.