Written question asked by Alan Simpson (Labour) on Thursday, 19 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 November 2009. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 30 November 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Genetically Modified Organisms: Food

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which studies of intestinal damage in animals that have been fed genetically modified foods his Department has considered in the last two years; and whether he has made an assessment of the implications for (a) proliferative cell growth and (b) intestinal immune systems in humans of the findings of those studies.

Answer: The Food Standards Agency has sought advice from the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) regarding what conclusions may be drawn from the following publication:"Finamore et al., (2008), J Agric Food Chem. DOI: 10.1021/jf802059w"The ACNFP considered this publication at its meeting in February 2009. It advised that it was not possible to draw any conclusions about cause and effect or to assess the significance of this report for human health. The minutes of this meeting are available on the ACNFP website at:"www.acnfp.gov.uk/meetings/acnfpmeet09/acnfpfeb09/acnfpminl90209"

Secondary information