§ Mr. Hilary BennTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact the proposed EU directive on food supplements will have on the availability of(a) herbal and vitamin remedies and (b) information about the properties of such remedies; and if he will make a statement. [157774]
§ Ms StuartThe draft directive would not change the status of products which are regulated by medicines legislation. Its purpose is to establish a framework for regulation of supplements, including those containing herbal substances and vitamins, sold under food law.
Our view is that, in the interests of consumer choice, the market should be open to all products which are safe and properly labelled. The Food Standards Agency, which is representing us in discussions on the proposal, is pressing this case in negotiations.