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Letter to Editor, Taranaki Daily News, August 2007

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority can assure your readers that the claims made by W H Dixon are incorrect (Cancerous containers, 14 August).

Food for sale in New Zealand must comply with comprehensive legal requirements under the Food Act, including standards under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

For food packaging, suppliers ensure their products are safe and suitable for the intended use by complying with internationally recognised standards such as those of the European Union or the United States Food and Drug Administration as evidence that materials are suitable for food use.

Dealing specifically with the claims of cancer, it is known that leaching of compounds from containers into foods is very small and presents no risk to human health. The two dyes claimed as "carcinogens" are not, and most certainly are not "found in all cancer tumours". There is no evidence that they "depress our white blood cells".

NZFSA’s website at nzfsa.govt.nz is an authoritative source of science-based information. We also operate a toll free line to answer any consumer concerns (0800 NZFSA1 or 0800693 721)

Carole Inkster

NZFSA Director (Joint Food Standards)