Question
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish the concerns expressed to him by the Committee on the microbiological safety of food about the microbiological quality of unpasteurised cows' milk for drinking.
Answer
Mr. Jack: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the concerns expressed to him by the committee on the microbiological safety of food about the microbiological quality of unpasteurised cows' milk for drinking. [17283] Dr. John Cunningham: The Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food has considered reports of two surveys on the microbiological status of raw cows' milk for drinking. The Committee was very concerned to note that these surveys showed that raw cows' drinking milk contained significant amounts of faecal contamination indicator micro-organisms as well as, in some cases, food poisoning pathogens. These concerns were publicised in the press release of the Committee's 18 September meeting, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.