§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to promote to other European Union member states the methodology for establishing safe levels of nutrient intake adopted by the Expert Advisory Group on vitamins and minerals; and what further plans he has for promoting his policies of case by case reviews of published literature on nutrient safety. [136626]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonArticle 5 of the Food Supplements Directive lays out a framework for the future setting of maximum permitted levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements. The United Kingdom continues to press for European Union maximum permitted limits to be set on a safety basis, and in doing so, is using its influence in both scientific and political forums. I intend to raise this issue with Ministers in other Member States as and when appropriate. I am also seeking to arrange a meeting with Commissioner David Byrne at the earliest practicable opportunity.