§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in respect of the(a) production and (b) sale of vitamin B6 high dose supplements; and if he will make a statement. [9458]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 21 July 1997]: The Government recently accepted the advice of the independent Food Advisory Committee that the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements classed as foods should not exceed more than 10 mg per daily dose and that such supplements should carry a warning label about the risks of harmful effects at intakes above 10 mg. I have instructed officials to draw up legislation under the Food Safety Act 1990 to implement these requirements. The scope of the legislation, which will be subject to consultation, is still being considered, but it is likely to apply both to the production and to the sale of these products.
The legislation will apply only to supplements sold under food law: higher dose products licensed as medicines for the treatment of specific clinical conditions will continue to be available from pharmacies and on prescription.