asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of health risks attaching to the use of nitrate and nitrite as preservatives in food; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nitrate in Food.
4.
I am satisfied that the use of nitrate and nitrite, at the levels permitted under the Health (Preservatives in Food) Regulations, 1981, does not constitute a health risk.
Used at their permitted levels they serve a health purpose in that they inhibit the growth of the bacteria that can cause botulism, a deadly form of food poisoning.
Is the Minister aware that in the United States the use of nitrate and nitrite is not permitted in the curing of bacon but is permitted here? I understand that these substances have been identified in the United States as a cause of cancer.
That allegation has been made. The Food Advisory Committee and similar bodies in other countries have recommended the progressive reduction, so far as it is practicable, of the levels of nitrate and nitrite in food and they have also recommended that research into alternative preserving methods should be continued. However, it would not be feasible at present to remove them entirely from food. There are clear permitted maximum levels of the preservatives that may be used. They are used in cheese and in cured meats within very strict limitations.
From what the Minister has said I gather we are embarking on a programme to eliminate them entirely as preservatives in food. Will the Minister give some indication when their use is likely to be prohibited altogether?
There is no proposal for their total elimination. I would stress that no health risk for humans has been proved in respect of these substances. Various allegations have been made but no proof has been brought forward. The use of both nitrate and nitrite is approved by the EC although member states are permitted to specify how they may be used. Some trials on animals have resulted in cancer but not in human beings.
The Chair may remember that I had four related questions to the Minister yesterday but I had no chance to pursue them at 3.30 p.m. Yesterday he gave a similar reply to my questions when he said that no evidence existed in relation to additives and sweeteners. Will he agree that, as distinct from Ireland, in the United States any drinks containing artificial sweeteners carry a health risk warning? Since evidence is available that additives such as sweeteners cause tumours in animals is the Minister considering the implementation of a health risk warning here for drinks such as the warning that exist in the US on all tins?
One cannot eliminate nitrate in particular——
I am asking about sweeteners specifically.
The EC regulations in relation to sweeteners is quite adequate at the moment. The American experience is well known. There are no proposals before my Department in that area at the moment. As regards nitrate, it exists in substantial quantities in, for example, spinach and other leafy vegetables and in drinking water. One must maintain a sense of proportion.
Since the Minister says that we are complying with European standards and since American standards indicate that they feel that they should include a health warning on containers, is there a big difference between the American and European standards and is the Minister satisfied that European standards are stringent enough?
The information in my Department is that at the moment the regulations are adequate. I will ask the Food Advisory Committee if there is need for more regulations in this area.