DOUBTS ON UK GELATINE

European Union scientists yesterday expressed doubt about the safety of British gelatine, raising the prospect of the EU ban on the beef by product being reinforced. The scientists, meeting in a food safety committee, said it was impossible to guarantee that gelatine was completely safe from BSE, or mad cow disease.

Mrs Emma Bonino, the EU food safety commissioner, said she would ask the Commission to take the scientists' views into account "in re-examining its decision concerning the partial and conditional lifting of the ban on gelatine exports from British bovine products". The Commission eased the ban on gelatine - used in food cosmetics and medicines - on June 11 on condition that tough processing rules were observed.

Reuter, Brussels