---

Dept of Health

Answer

Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of (a) the provisional findings of the EU Scientific Committee on Food on the upper safe levels of nutrient intake for vitamin-B6 and Niacin and (b) the levels accepted as safe in the UK by health food manufacturers; and by how much and for what reasons he expects those levels to be further reduced under the Provisions of Article 5 of the European Food Supplements Directive when being used as the basis for setting maximum permitted levels of nutrient content in food supplements. [60197] Ms Blears: The Government will take a view on these provisional findings when it receives advice from the expert group on vitamins and minerals (EVM), which has been established to draw up advice on maximum safe intakes of vitamins and minerals. The EVM is expected to publish its findings during the summer, and is aware of both the assessments of the SCF and other expert evaluations of the available evidence. The Government continues to press for a safety-based approach to setting of maximum limits under Article 5 of the EU food supplements directive; no specific levels for individual nutrients have yet been discussed.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

60197; 387 c548W

Session

2001-02

EC documents

Dir2002/46/EC

Subjects

Consumption Dietary supplements Food EU action Safety Vitamins Vitamin B6 EU Scientific Committee for Food

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk