Written question asked by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 4 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 July 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 July 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects to receive guidance from the European Union Scientific Committee on Food on the upper safe levels for daily intake of (a) taurine and (b) glucuronolactone; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to receive guidance from the European Union Scientific Committee on Food on the upper safe levels for daily intake of (a) taurine and (b) glucuronolactone; and if he will make a statement. [68349] Ms Blears: The European Union Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) concluded in their 1999 opinion on the safety of caffeine and other constituents of energy drinks that further studies would be required in order to be able to establish upper safe levels for daily intake of taurine and glucuronolactone. The SCF is currently reviewing new data on the ingredients of energy drinks and considering whether there is a need to review its 1999 opinion in light of this information. It is expected that this review will be completed before the end of the year, when the remit of the SCF expires.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 68349; 389 c1442W;389 c1440W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Consumption Additives EU action Drinks Safety Side effects Soft drinks EU Scientific Committee for Food Taurine Glucuronolactone
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk