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Written question asked by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party) on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 14 September 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Food: Preservatives

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need to incorporate standardised microbiome endpoints in the safety assessment of food additives; and what plans they have to ensure that food regulation reflects the cumulative effects of additive ultraprocessed food mixtures upon the public.

Answer

The development of standardised end points remains an important consideration across food regulatory regimes and is kept under review with input from the relevant scientific advisory committees. In 2024, the Committee on Toxicity held a workshop entitled Gut reactions: xenobiotics and the microbiome and published its report in June 2025.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has not started any work to develop regulatory changes specifically relating to ultra-processed foods. The FSA continues to monitor emerging evidence in this area and will take account of relevant developments, including the findings of the UK Research and Innovation public dialogue on ultra-processed foods, published in April 2026.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2796
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Food Regulation Safety Processed food Preservatives
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk