asked the Minister for Health what controls exist in this country on the use of cyclamates and saccharine as sweeteners in food.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control of Cyclamates.
17.
The Health (Cyclamate in Food) Regulations, 1970, prohibit the manufacture, preparation, importation, storage, distribution or exposure for sale of cyclamate for use in a food intended for sale for human consumption and any food containing cyclamate intended for sale for human consumption, unless the container of the cyclamate or food is labelled in a form and manner approved by the Minister for Health to show:
(a) that the cyclamate is intended for use in a food for consumption on medical advice, or
(b) that the food contains cyclamate and should be consumed only on medical advice in calorie-controlled diets.
There are at present no specific controls over the use of saccharine as an artificial sweetener in food.
Is the Minister aware that in the United States cyclamates have been banned entirely and would he comment on that? Further, is he aware that saccharine is also being investigated in the United States as to its possible harmful effects? Would he undertake to keep in touch with these investigations with a view to taking any necessary action?
Yes. We are keeping in touch with the uncompleted research into the use of saccharine and we are not able to make any decision. We have not even seen detailed reports. They are not available. In connection with cyclamates, I have not yet issued any kind of approval of the label for the use of cyclamates in respect of certain prescriptions. If I felt that there was some doubt about my so doing, I would consult the National Drug Advisory Board before so doing.