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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Jul 1953

Vol. 140 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flour Milling.

asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that in the July issue of an Irish medical journal reference has been made to the fact that the use of nitrogen trichloride for the bleaching of flour by flour millers in this country is having a detrimental effect on the health of our citizens; and further, that the British Minister of Health recently requested millers to market a high extraction flour for bread-making which will contain ahigher percentage of mineral and vitamin B complex than the flour used for the ordinary white bread which will sell at a lower price and, if so, if he will state if he has given any consideration to such professional opinion and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am aware that a letter appeared in the July issue of the journal of the Irish Medical Association in which it is suggested that the use of nitrogen trichloride (Agene) for the bleaching of flour in this country has a detrimental effect on the health of the community and I have also seen a reference to the steps which the British Government are taking in regard to the production of various types of flour. In this connection I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave on 9th instant to Deputy Dunne, which indicates the present position in this matter.

Will the Minister say whether his Department' has given any consideration to these proposals and, if so, has he made any recommendations to the committee which he proposes to set up?

In answer to a similar question on the 9th July, I said that we had an expert committee examining this question; that they had issued an interim report, but that they had not yet issued their final report. I must wait until I get their final report.

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