Written question asked by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour) on Thursday, 30 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 November 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the safety of plastic bottles for consumption of fluids for (a) babies and (b) the general public; what research he has collated on risks to health of using plastic bottles for feeding babies; and what assessment he has made of the practice in other EU countries.

Answer: Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the safety of plastic bottles for consumption of fluids for (a) babies and (b) the general public; [136077] (2) what research he has collated on risks to health of using plastic bottles for feeding babies; and what assessment he has made of the practice in other EU countries. [137218] Miss Melanie Johnson: The composition of plastic bottles used for drinks consumed by babies and the general public is strictly controlled to ensure the safety of foodstuffs contained in them. These controls are harmonised throughout the European Union and they set limits on the migration of substances into foodstuffs to prevent harmful quantities being present. The materials used to make plastic bottles for feeding babies are subject to strict controls that have been harmonised throughout the European Union. These controls are based on a detailed assessment of safety data by European scientific experts.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 413 c612W; 136077;137218
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Babies Bottles EU countries Health hazards Plastics Safety Research
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk