Written question asked by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party) on Thursday, 9 March 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 March 2023. It was answered by Lord Markham (Conservative) on Monday, 20 March 2023 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Food: Arsenic

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government, following changes in EU standards regarding the maximum level of arsenic in food, what plans they have to amend the standards for maximum level of arsenic in food.

Answer: There are no immediate plans to revise the standards for arsenic in food. To protect consumers there are currently maximum levels in place for inorganic arsenic in foods such as rice which contribute to overall consumer exposure. We will always maintain strong rules on arsenic levels in food and keep our position under very close review guided by the risk analysis undertaken by the Food Standards Agency. We work closely with regulators across Europe and the rest of the world to ensure that we take account of global best practice and prioritise safety for our citizens.

Secondary information