Written question asked by Earl Howe (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 April 2007.

Health: Food Supplements and Herbal Remedies

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether new products bearing claims referring to (a) children's development and health; (b) slimming and weight-control; or (c) newly emerging science can be placed on the United Kingdom market after 7 July under European Union Regulation 1924/2006 on Nutrition and Health Claims Made on Foods.

Answer: The regulation puts in place various transitional periods, and associated conditions, which allow health claims to continue to be made following the application date of 1 July and until the Community list of health claims has been adopted. These transitional periods relate to the health claim, rather than the product or nature of supporting evidence. The specific transitional period for claims, which refer to slimming or weight control and psychological behavioural functions, allows claims on the market prior to 19 January 2007 to continue to be used on the condition that an application for authorisation has been made prior to 19 January 2008. The controls for claims referring to children's development and health were added late in negotiations and as a result a specific transitional period could be included with an amendment on comitology currently being discussed. Both the Council and Commission have indicated that they would support this, if proposed by the European Parliament.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 691 c66-7WA; 3100
Session: 2006-07
Notes: REG(EC)1924/2006
Subjects: Children Diets Health EU law Food Labelling Health foods Nutrition
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk