HL Deb 18 February 1998 vol 586 cc223-5

2.45 p.m.

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What importance they attach to the assessment of the toxicity of vitamin and mineral supplements, as announced in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food press release of 18th December 1997, in the context of overall food safety.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)

My Lords, the Government are concerned to ensure that products sold under food law, including vitamin and mineral supplements, are not harmful to health. The establishment of the new ad hoc expert group will contribute to that aim.

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. However, does he agree that this seems a rather curious use of public resources and expertise, given the enviable safety record that vitamins and minerals have and the absence of any scare, complaint or other indication of problems? Will he acknowledge the very real worry among the public that the same kind of inappropriate criteria will be applied in this exercise as have been applied to restrict Vitamin B6?

Lord Donoughue

No, my Lords. Concerns have been expressed about the safety of high dose vitamin and mineral supplements. As the noble Earl, with his long-standing interest in this area, will know, that goes back to a joint departmental report in 1990. COMA has expressed concerns; the Consumers' Association has contacted us with concerns; and the European Union has issued a consultation document aiming to move towards aspects of control. So there are concerns. With public health as our top priority, we are in the process of setting up a committee of experts to advise us. That does not prejudge any conclusions and is an entirely responsible thing to do.

The Earl of Clanwilliam

My Lords, whatever the Consumers' Association and the European Union may say, the Government are holding themselves up to public ridicule in relation to the argument about basic dosage. Should they not accept the findings of the National Poisons Unit, which has found no such dangers, against the evidence of either the ridiculous European Union or even the Consumers' Association?

Lord Donoughue

My Lords, it is possible to dismiss almost every body which is inconvenient to one's argument. However, in relation to Vitamin B6 we have received very serious scientific advice. The Committee on Toxicity examined it twice and consulted with the Food Advisory Committee and the Committee on the Safety of Medicines, and as a consequence submitted its advice. On the basis of that advice, we have made our recommendations. There will be opportunities for consultation. Perhaps I may point out to the noble Earl that the suggested dosage for Vitamin B6 is more liberal in this country than anywhere else in the European Union.

The Countess of Mar

My Lords, will the noble Lord tell the House whether there will be nutritionists on the new committee that is to review vitamins and minerals in food? Nutrition apparently comes very low in the training programme for doctors and they are not therefore fully qualified to debate the subject. Will he also tell the House why vitamins and minerals are being regarded as poisons to the extent that their toxicology is being examined, whereas in relation to medicines the risk-benefit procedure is used in deciding how much of the medicine can be taken? Why is there that enormous difference?

Lord Donoughue

My Lords, we take nutrition seriously. There will be a member on the committee with experience of nutrition, as there will be members with experience of the alternative medicine industry and consumer interests.

There is a clear statutory difference between medicines, which are covered by the Medicines Act 1968, and vitamin and mineral supplements, which are considered to be food and come under the Food Safety Act 1990. The concern as regards vitamin and mineral supplements is that they should not be injurious to health.

Lord Mackie of Benshie

My Lords, can the Minister tell us what good Vitamin B6 does a person?

Lord Donoughue

My Lords, there are differing views on that. There is very little scientific evidence, which is why we wish to look at the matter. I believe that among the alleged advantages which may interest the noble Lord is that it is thought by some to ease pre-menstrual tension.