Only safe vitamins on shelves, rules European Court

NEW rules saying that only vitamins and supplements that are proven to be safe can be sold across the EU has got the backing of the European Court of Justice.

Producers and distributors of food supplements challenged the regulations in the European Court saying the commission was going beyond its powers.

But the court decided yesterday that the rules to tighten controls on the growing market in vitamins and minerals can come into force on August 1 as planned.

Various producers have claimed that up to 300 products will have to come off the shelves because of the new rules.

The commission said that the new system is proceeding well with safety dossiers on more than 500 products submitted to the Food Safety Authority in Britain alone so far.

“For the first time people will be sure that the supplements are not having harmful effects on them,” said Commission spokesperson, Philip Todd.

The ruling was welcomed by the European consumer body, BEUC, which said its 40 national organisations had been pressing for regulations to protect and promote the health of consumers.

However, Ireland East MEP Avril Doyle was highly critical of the directive and said it means 300 nutrients and nutrient sources will be banned unless they are on the positive list of permitted substances.

“Proper information on safe dosage and correct labelling is what is required and not the limiting of certain high level preparations.”

Mr Todd, who is spokesperson for the Consumer and Health Commissioner, said: “We are working to help producers submit their safety dossiers about their products to their national food safety authority.”

An initial report by the General for the Court issued a few months ago said the legislation was as transparent as “a black box”. However, unusually for the court, the judges who made the final decision disagreed with his assessment and ruled the commission was within its rights with the new legislation.