Day 016 - 22 Jul 94 - Page 50
1 that apply in that particular country.
2 Q. Effectively, if something is not on the permitted list is
it, effectively, banned or?
3 A. Well, you see, it may mean that it has not been
considered at all.
4
Q. Right, but it would not be allowed to be used?
5
MR. JUSTICE BELL: I think what you are being asked is, can you
6 use anything which is not on an approved list?
A. Oh, well, again I think I should explain.
7
Q. I have difficulty -- can you just tell me very simply
8 about additive? What does it mean? Something which is
not a natural food stuff itself?
9 A. And something which is used in a relatively small
amount. I think I had a definition somewhere -- yes,
10 page 52.
11 Q. Yes, thank you. I had forgotten that. The bit is "not
normally used as a typical ingredient of food"; that is
12 the crux of it?
A. Yes. So, if I can try to answer your question,
13 because what has happened in terms of the legislation
-----
14
Q. You can do it quite shortly?
15 A. OK. Over the years we have moved from having a black
list of substances that are not allowed to be used and
16 anything that was not on that could be used, to one where
we now only -- you can only use the ones that are already
17 considered and are approved and, therefore, included in
the appropriate regulations.
18
MR. RAMPTON: My Lord, I do not know whether it helps, but I do
19 have The Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries
booklet on additives. I only intervene at this stage
20 because your Lordship asked what additives were, and this
tells you. It has the complete list of permitted
21 additives, all or mostly with E numbers. It does not mean
that when you put water in coffee you are adding an
22 additive, or salt on your food. They are particular
substances. I do not know whether your Lordship would
23 like it?
24 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I might read it for general education.
25 MR. RAMPTON: It is only general education.
A. The point I would want to make -----
26
MR. JUSTICE BELL: I will not look at it now. I may take it
27 home to read.
A. The point I would want to make is if it is not on the
28 approved list, it does not mean that it has been
considered and banned; it might mean that it just has not
29 been considered.
30 MS. STEEL: But, effectively, does that mean it cannot be
used?
