§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6 for women; and if he will make a statement. [7243]
§ Ms JowellThe Reference Nutrient Intake is one of several Dietary Reference Values. These estimates of nutritional requirements of healthy people are made by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy. They were last reviewed in 1991 and there are no plans for a further review. The current Reference Nutrient Intake of around 1.5mg/day for vitamin B6 is enough to meet the nutritional needs of virtually all healthy adults. The British National Formulary says that there is little sound evidence for claims that supplements of vitamin B6 can alleviate the premenstrual syndrome.
The Government is acting on the advice of the Food Advisory Committee and Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment to control the sales of vitamin B6 products because of the risk of adverse effects following consumption of supplements at doses of 50mg or above of vitamin B6 The levels of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements will be limited to a daily dose of 10mg. 504W Products containing higher daily doses will continue to be available as licensed medicinal products, or under the supervision of a pharmacist or doctor.