Food Supplements Directive

HL Deb 05 March 2004 vol 658 c129WA

Earl Howe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they account for the delay in the meeting between the Minister for Public Health and European Commissioner Byrne to discuss the setting of maximum permitted levels for nutrients under the provisions of the Food Supplements Directive; when they now expect a meeting to take place; and what objectives they intend to pursue at the meeting. [HL1284]

Lord Warner

Following a meeting with industry representatives to discuss their concerns about the Food Supplements Directive on 7 October 2003 the Minister for Public Health has been actively seeking to discuss the setting of European Commission maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements with Commissioner Byrne. The Minister for Public Health has arranged to have a telephone discussion with Commissioner Byrne on 12 March with a view to setting up a meeting as soon as is practicable after that.

The purpose of the discussion will be to press the United Kingdom's view that when in due course an EC proposal for maximum levels is developed it should be based on scientific risk assessments and should not unnecessarily restrict consumer choice.