Written question asked by Alan Simpson (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 November 2009. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 November 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Genetically Modified Organisms: Food

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what scientific papers he has considered in respect of animal studies that document the effect of the consumption of genetically modified food on changes in the kidney, pancreas and spleen;

Answer: The Food Standards Agency has sought advice from the Advisory Committee on Novel Food and Processes (ACNFP) regarding what conclusions may be drawn from the following publications:"Malatesta et al., (2008), Histochem Cell Biol, 130, pp967-977""Kilic and Akay, (2008), Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46, pp1164-1170""Finamore et al., (2008), J Agric Food Chem. DOI: 10.1021/jf802059w""Lelimirov et al., (2008), Forschungsberichte der Sektion IV, Band 3/2008, published by the Austrian Ministry of Health."The ACNFP considered these publications at its meetings in November 2008 and February 2009, and advised that it was not possible to draw any conclusions about cause and effect in these publications or to assess the significance of these reports for human health. The minutes of these meetings are available on the ACNFP website at:"www.acnfp.gov.uk/meetings/acnfpmeet08/acnfpmeet20nov08/acnfpmin20nov08"and"www.acnfp.gov.uk/meetings/acnfpmeet09/acnfpfeb09/acnfpminl90209"

Secondary information