Written question asked by William Bain (Labour) on Monday, 10 January 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 January 2011. It was answered by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Monday, 17 January 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Food Intolerances

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the most recent scientific advice he has received is on the effects on the health of (a) children, (b) the elderly and (c) pregnant women of exposure to dioxins through the food chain.

Answer: In 2007 the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment confirmed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for dioxins, which would protect humans including children, the elderly and pregnant women from all the toxic effects of these chemicals. In January 2011, the Food Standards Agency used this TDI as the basis for assessing the risks from food products arising from the use of liquid pasteurised egg made from eggs laid by hens exposed to contaminated animal feed from Germany.

Secondary information