Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Monday, 3 April 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 April 2000. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Thursday, 6 April 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13th March 2000 at 346 c61W, on fruit and vegetables, if he will list the methods used by his Department, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to inform the public of the advice on peeling and washing fruit and vegetables in relation to pesticide residues; what was the expenditure on such advice in the last financial year; and if the Food Standards Agency will continue to give such advice.

Answer: Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2000, Official Report, columns 61-62W, on fruit and vegetables, if he will list the methods used by his Department, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to inform the public of the advice on peeling and washing fruit and vegetables in relation to pesticide residues; what was the expenditure on such advice in the last financial year; and if the Food Standards Agency will continue to give such advice. [118016] Ms Stuart: Advice to wash and prepare fruit and vegetables before eating has been included in press releases and the Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Health Food Safety Information Bulletin when results from surveys of pesticide residues in food are published. It is also used by Government Departments in responding to inquiries about pesticide residues in food. Reporting the results of surveys is routine work and no separate information on related expenditure is available. The Food Standards Agency is committed to informing and advising consumers about food safety issues relating to pesticides. It will continue to promote advice to wash fruit and vegetables.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 347 c580W;347 c580-1W; 118016
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Consumer information Expenditure Health hazards Fruit Pesticides Residues Vegetables
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk