§ Dr. IddonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when she received the letter dated 22 December 1997 from two United States of America senators concerning the relationship between MAFF's proposed universal ban358W on the general sales of dietary supplements containing more than 10 mg of vitamin B6 and international agreements; what consultations she had with other Government Departments; and what reply she plans to make. [25618]
§ Mr. BattleThe letter was received on 16 January: a reply will be sent shortly. The proposed controls on the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law are being formulated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in consultation with other interested Government Departments. They are based on recommendations made by two UK committees of independent experts following a review of the scientific data on the safety of vitamin B6: MAFF will be issuing a consultation paper on their proposals in the near future. Measures designed to protect human health are permitted under EC and international trade rules.