Health written question – answered at on 19 January 2007.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health
(1) what progress has been made by (a) the Food Standards Agency and (b) the Better Regulation Executive in assessing the economic impact of the setting of maximum permitted levels of nutrients under the terms of the Food Supplements Directive;
(2) how many letters from individual consumers have recently been received by officials of the Food Standards Agency expressing concerns about the setting of maximum permitted levels of nutrients in food supplements;
(3) what progress has been made by the Food Standards Agency in producing an authoritative dossier of legal advice to support its promotion to the European Commission of a system of Advisory Statements under the terms of Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive;
(4) what the policy background was to the adoption by the Food Standards Agency of its system of advisory statements in connection with the setting of maximum permitted levels for nutrients in food supplements; when that approach was adopted; what the rationale was behind the approach; what consumer and manufacturer organisations supported its introduction; what steps she is taking to promote acceptance of such an approach within the European context; and if she will make a statement;
(5) what recent response she has received from the European Commission to the United Kingdom's objectives for the setting of maximum permitted levels for nutrients in supplements under the provisions of the Food Supplements Directive; and when she expects this issue next to be discussed by member state representatives at Working Group meetings.
Food Standard Agency (FSA) officials have met with the Better Regulation Executive and Small Business Service to discuss options for assessing the economic impact of the setting of maximum permitted levels of nutrients under the terms of the Food Supplements Directive. A series of questions are being prepared in order to obtain relevant information from industry to complete the assessment.
No letters from individual consumers to FSA officials have been received expressing concerns about the setting of maximum permitted levels of nutrients in food supplements. However over 300 letters have been received from small companies and employees from a health food company.
FSA officials are seeking legal advice on the use of a system of advisory statements under the terms of the Food Supplements Directive.
The FSA developed the policy for a system of advisory statements following the publication of the results of risk assessment of vitamins and minerals by the expert group on vitamins and Minerals (EVM) in 2003. The majority of food supplement products on the United Kingdom market in 2003 contained amounts of vitamins and minerals that were well below the safe upper levels set by the EVM. However, a small number of products contained levels of vitamins and minerals which were higher than the safe upper level set by the EVM, in single dose form, which could cause adverse effects in some individuals if taken on a regular basis. In consultation with industry representatives from the Council for Responsible Nutrition, Health Food Manufacturer's Association and the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, a number of advisory statements were agreed in May 2004 to be included on labels, which provide information on the potential adverse effects for these products.
The use of advisory statements approach has been discussed in bilateral meetings between FSA officials, the European Commission and other member states. Further bilateral meetings are planned.
FSA officials met with the European Commission on
The Commission welcomed the UK response and indicated that the work by the EVM on setting safe upper levels for on a scientific basis would be a key factor in developing proposals. A timeline for developing proposals has not yet been agreed by the Commission. Working group discussions between member states may begin in late spring with proposals not expected to be brought forward before the end of 2007.
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