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Dept of Health

Answer

Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on his policy objectives for further discussion in the EU regarding legislation on (a) food supplements, (b) nutrition and health claims on food products and (c) sports nutrition products; [201983] (2) if he will ensure that opportunities are provided under the UK's Presidency of the EU for discussions on legislation on (a) food supplements, (b) nutrition and health claims on food products and (c) sports nutrition products. [201984] Miss Melanie Johnson: The policy objectives for this legislation are as follows: The Food Supplements Directive was adopted in July 2002 and applies in member states from 1 August 2005. The Government must ensure that food supplements on sale after 1 August comply with the relevant legislation. The Government's objective is to improve consumer protection from misleading and fraudulent nutrition and health claims on food, with proportionate measures that minimise new burdens on business. The Government's policy in relation to proposals for European Union legislation on sports nutrition is to press for proportionate legislation, which protects public health and supports consumer choice. All Departments will be concentrating efforts on progressing the agenda of Council work, which will include the nutrition and health claims proposal. It would not be appropriate for discussion on the food supplements directive to be considered as Council business during this period as the Directive was adopted in July 2002 and applies from 1 August 2005. The Commission is expected to produce a formal proposal on sports nutrition products, but it has yet to publish its 2005 work programme. It is therefore unclear at this stage whether this will be available for discussion during the United Kingdom Presidency.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

428 c957W; 201983;201984

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Consumers Dietary supplements EU law Food Labelling Health foods Protection Nutrition Nutrients Regulation Sports

Link

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