Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products
and the Environment (COT)
CHAIRMAN'S INTRODUCTION
The COT is an Advisory Committee of independent experts that provides
advice to Government Departments and Agencies on all matters concerning
the potential toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and
the environment.
Most members are appointed as independent scientific and medical
experts on the basis of their special skills and knowledge. The
one exception to this is the public interest member of the committee
who is appointed for knowledge of consumer, and other, matters.
At all times individuals are required to declare conflicts of interest
and during discussions they may be disqualified at the Chairman's
discretion from contributing to the conclusions and recommendations
of the Committee.
The independent members of the COT are supported in their work
by a secretariat provided by the Department of Health. The secretariat
have scientific expertise that enables them to provide members with
comprehensive background information and briefing papers that inform
the decision-making processes of the Committee.
Prof H F Woods BSc BM BCh DPhil FRCP(Lon) FFPM FRCP(Edin)
Hon FFOM Sir George Franklin Professor of Medicine, Division of
Molecular and Genetic Medicine University of Sheffield
COT Chairman
Minutes of Meeting - 22 February
2000 
Minutes of Meeting - 7 December 1999
Minutes of Meeting - 19 October 1999
Minutes of Meeting - 7 September
1999
Minutes of Meeting - 13 July 1999
Minutes of Meeting - 27 April 1999
Minutes of Meeting - 23 February
1999
1. At the request of:-
Department of Health
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Department of the Environment
Department of Trade & Industry
Department of Transport
Health & Safety Executive
Medicines Control Agency:
Section 4 Committees and the
Licensing Authority
Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food Policy
Home Office
Scottish Office Department of Health
Welsh Office
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland
Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland
Other Government Departments
to assess and advise on the toxic risk to man of substances which
are:-
a. used or proposed to be used as food additives, or used in
such a way that they might contaminate food through their use
or natural occurrence in agriculture, including horticulture and
veterinary practice or in the distribution, storage, preparation,
processing or packaging of food;
b. used or proposed to be used or manufactured or produced in
industry, agriculture, food storage or any other workplace.
c. used or proposed to be used as household goods or toilet goods
and preparations.
d. used or proposed to be used as drugs, when advice is requested
by the Medicines Control Agency, Section 4 Committee or the Licensing
Authority.
e. used or proposed to be used or disposed of in such a way as
to result in pollution of the environment.
2. To advise on important general principles or new scientific
discoveries in connection with toxic risks, to co-ordinate with
other bodies concerned with the assessment of toxic risks and to
present recommendations for toxicity testing.
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CONTACT ADDRESS
Mr Jonathan Lighthill
Administrative Secretary to the COT
Room 652C
Skipton House
80 London Road
London SE1 6LH
Tel: 0171 972 5007
Fax: 0171 972 5134
email: jlighthi@doh.gov.uk
All correspondence for the COT should be sent through the secretariat.
Members cannot guarantee a reply on COT business to any communication
sent directly to them.
This page last updated 26 July 1999
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