Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she is proposing to introduce a ban on additives in children's food as called for by an association (details supplied). [16086/08]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Public concerns have been raised following the publication last year of a study by researchers at Southampton University in the United Kingdom that suggested a link between the intakes of a combination of food additives to altered behavioural patterns in children. Following its publication, a scientific panel of experts, including experts in behaviour, child psychiatry, allergy and statistics, from the European Food Safety Authority assessed the findings. The authority reached a broadly similar conclusion to the UK's Committee on Toxicity that there is limited evidence that the additives have a small but measurable effect on children's behaviour, although the effects seen are not consistent and only certain children were affected. The authority further stated that the findings of the study could not be used as a basis for altering current acceptable intake levels. The additives in question are six colours (E110-Sunset yellow, E122-Carmosine, E102-Tartrazine, E124-Ponceau 4R, E129-Allura Red, E104-Quinoline Yellow) and a preservative (E211-Sodium Benzoate). An E-number means that a food additive has been thoroughly assessed through extensive safety evaluation and toxicological tests by EFSA, or its predecessor, the Scientific Committee on Food, and has been accepted as safe.

I understand that the majority of manufacturers are already in the process of reformulating products to remove these particular food colours. The additives, particularly the colours, are used in a range of sweets, snacks and soft drinks. Researchers from UCD have studied the Irish National Food Ingredient Database and the 7-day dietary survey of 594 children aged 5-12 years. They found that, of the total number of brand codes in the database, 94.8% did not contain any of the additives examined in the UK study. Ireland applies EU legislation on food additives. In a recent meeting in Brussels, the European Commission stated that any action to limit or prohibit the use of these colours in foods on the European market would have to be firmly based on scientific evidence and be equally applicable in all Member States. Such a measure should also apply to foods imported into Europe. The European Commission's Expert Committee on Food Additives is expected to meet before the summer to consider whether additional management controls on the colours are necessary, and if so, the form these should take. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is the competent authority in Ireland for the enforcement of food legislation. It has advised me, based on current scientific evidence set out above, that a ban is not justified. The authority has advised parents of children in Ireland who display symptoms of hyperactivity or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to consider limiting their children's consumption of food products containing these food colours.