Earl Kitchenerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What specific action they are taking in Europe to further their policy objective of securing the continuing availability on general retail sale of safe higher dose vitamin and mineral supplements. [HL2277]
§ Lord DonoughueThe Government believe that, where it is necessary to establish limits on the level of vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements sold under food law in order to protect the public, such limits should be based on safety considerations. They made this view clear in their formal response to the European Commission's June 1997 discussion document on the addition on vitamins and minerals to foods and food supplements. Officials have promoted this view in discussions with the EU Commission, and at meetings attended by the Commission and representatives of other member states, and will continue to do so when suitable opportunities arise.