Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 April 2005. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 7 April 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Food Standards Agency will accept the derogation granted by the Italian Government to 121 nutrient sources under the provisions of the Food Standards Directive as valid in the United Kingdom; and whether it will permit the continued use of the nutrient sources after 1st August on the basis of the derogations granted in Italy.

Answer: Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Food Standards Agency will accept the derogation granted by the Italian Government to 121 nutrient sources under the provisions of the Food Standards Directive as valid in the United Kingdom; and whether it will permit the continued use of the nutrient sources after 1 August on the basis of the derogations granted in Italy. [222940] Miss Melanie Johnson: [holding answer 21 March 2005]: The United Kingdom will grant a derogation in accordance with the food supplements directive 2002/ 46/EC for the continued use of sources of the vitamins and minerals listed in the Directive, where dossiers have been either been submitted to the UK or to another member state, pending a positive opinion from the European Food Safety Authority. The Food Standards Agency is pressing the European Commission for a view on the Italian derogations.

Secondary information