Question reference: S2W-05454
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 13 January 2004
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Current status: Answered by Tom McCabe on 9 February 2004
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what scientific evidence there is showing that children can be fed a portion of salmon every week with no associated health risks.
Answer
I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that risks associated with dioxins were assessed by theCommittee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and theEnvironment in 2001. The committee’s opinion provides the basis of the agency’sadvice that the benefits of a balanced diet outweigh the risk of dioxin intakefor both adults and children. The biggest diet-related risk to UK health isheart disease and oily fish, including salmon, contain fatty acids that helpprevent this. Most people in the UK do not eat enough oily fish, average consumptionbeing only a quarter of a portion per week.