US wheat offers cancer protection

28 July 1999

US wheat offers cancer protection

BRITAINS membership of the European Union since 1974 has denied many people the opportunity to eat a potentially cancer-limiting mineral contained in US wheat.

The mineral is selenium, which is absorbed from the soil by plants and which is common in the wheatfields of America, but rare in the grain growing areas of Europe.

After joining the EU, British bakers had to switch from importing selenium-rich flour from America to selenium-poor flour from Europe.

Five countries, Britain, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and the USA – are starting an £18 million trial to study whether selenium supplements reduce the incidence of cancer.

• The Times 28/07/99 page 6
  
• The Daily Telegraph 28/07/99 page 2 (News Bulletin)