§ Norman Baker:To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated to ascertain whether there is leakage of (a) dioxins, (b) carcinogens and (c) xenoestrogens when microwaving food in plastic containers. [177480]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson:The Government's research programme into the migration of substances from food contact materials and articles in the specific area of plastic containers used in microwave ovens has included work to establish methodologies for determining such migration; and to establish actual migration of some specific substances within the groups of substances in question.
Details of this research has been placed in the Library. Further information is available on the Food Standards Agency website at www.foodstandards.gov.uk/safety/foodpackaging.