asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the present levels of control over the use of additives in sweets and confectionery; if he is aware of reports that diethylene glycol (anti-freeze) was discovered in sweets in West Germany; if he is satisfied that diethylene glycol is not being used in sweets in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Control of Food Additives.
89.
I am satisfied with the current levels of controls over the use of additives in foods, including sweets and confectionery, although these controls are kept under review by my Department. They include regular sampling and analysis of food at retail level by food law enforcement personnel in the health boards.
I am aware of the reports last year that certain sweets in West Germany were found to contain diethylene glycol, but I am satisfied that that is no reason to believe that such sweets were imported into or are to be found in this country. Information on contaminated foods such as these, which are found in one EC member state, is notified to the other member states via the EC Commission, under a system for the rapid exchange of information on contaminated food products.