Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Food Standards Agency has taken to investigate the effects of the promotion of chlorine dioxide as a food supplement; and if he will make a statement.
Local authorities have made the Food Standards Agency (FSA) aware of a number of cases where chlorine dioxide has been marketed for sale as “Miracle Mineral Solution” (MMS). The FSA is working with the Department, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and local authorities to investigate these cases and protect the public.
The FSA along with the Department and MHRA are joining together to highlight and warn consumers of the dangers of consumption of these products. The FSA has worked hard to raise awareness of the dangers of MMS through its communications channels and has previously warned the public about this product on its website at:
http://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/news/2012/5206/cdswarning
The National Crime Agency is not investigating the sale of chlorine dioxide. It is not a controlled drug under drugs precursor chemicals legislation. The safety of food supplements is covered by general food law and therefore it must be safe and not cause injury.