HL Deb 23 February 1998 vol 586 cc68-9WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent their proposed restrictions on the retail sale of Vitamin B6 are consistent with the recent remarks of the Secretary of State for Health on Radio 4's Today programme about the need to end the concept of the "nanny state" and to provide consumers with the information they need about risks in order that they may make informed personal choices. [HL567]

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

The proposed limit of 10mg per daily dose applies to the level of Vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law. Such products will also carry a warning about the risk of harmful effects from consuming high doses of Vitamin B6 over extended periods. Higher dose products licensed as medicines for the treatment of specific clinical conditions will continue to be available from pharmacies and on prescription for those who need them. These arrangements will ensure that consumers have access to information on the risks associated with Vitamin B6 that will allow them to make an informed personal choice about its use.