Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Monday, 29 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 January 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 8 January 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 17th December, Official Report, column 995W, on genetically modified food, whether safety testing for Bt11 sweetcorn was carried out on sweetcorn destined for human consumption.

Answer: Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 17 December, Official Report, column 995W, on genetically modified food, whether safety testing for Bt11 sweetcorn was carried out on sweetcorn destined for human consumption. [146327] Miss Melanie Johnson: The safety of Bt11 sweetcorn has been evaluated under the procedures set out in Regulation (EC) No 258/97 and according to the European Community Scientific Committee on Food's scheme for the safety assessment of genetically modified foods. The safety assessment involved detailed analysis of both the Bt11 field maize and Bt11 sweetcorn intended for human consumption. The Scientific Committee on Food was satisfied on the basis of all the information provided that the Bt11 sweetcorn was as safe as its conventional counterpart.

Secondary information