asked the Minister for Health if as a matter of urgency he will take the steps necessary to prohibit the use of cyclamates in foodstuffs having regard to the known deleterious effect of the substance.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Cyclamates.
10.
asked the Minister for Health if in view of recent reports of their dangerous effects on health he will take all steps open to him to ban the use of cyclamates in food.
12.
asked the Minister for Health if he will make a general statement in regard to the use of cyclamates, the soft drink sweeteners which have been banned in the US; in what drinks or food cyclamates are used; and if suitable action will be taken to safeguard the public from any likely dangers resulting from their use.
13.
asked the Minister for Health whether he will consider the advisability of prohibiting all organic chemical substances used as substitutes for sugar in drinks and foodstuffs.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 11, 12 and 13 together.
The question of the control of the use of cyclamates in food was considered by my Food Advisory Committee at their meeting held yesterday afternoon. I expect to receive their recommendations very shortly when I will decide the steps which I should take in the interests of the public health to control the use of cyclamates in food.
The matter raised by Deputy Ryan in regard to the control of other forms of artificial sweeteners would be a question for further consideration by the Food Advisory Committee.
Can the Minister take steps to ensure that no effort is made by anybody in Britain to dump in Ireland foodstuffs the sale of which in Britain after 1st January next the recent ban in Britain would prohibit?
Yes, we will have regard to that possibility.