As part of the UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement currently being negotiated, this Government is making a sovereign choice in the national interest to align in some areas where it makes sense to do so. This Government has published a list of EU legislation it currently expects to be in scope, including Regulation 1925/2006 on the addition of vitamins, minerals and certain other substances to foods. The final scope of the agreement, and its precise implications for particular products, remain subject to the outcome of ongoing negotiations with the EU. This Government will continue to work with affected industry to prepare for implementation.

The Department maintains regular engagement with a range of stakeholders on matters relating to nutrition legislation, and this has included the European Commission’s proposals for potentially introducing maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements. To date this has not included healthcare professionals, but we would consider future stakeholder engagement requirements once further information on the European Commission’s proposals becomes available.

For information on the application in Northern Ireland of any future European Union changes to food supplements legislation under the Windsor Framework, and the Government's assessment of the implications for regulatory alignment between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 September in response to Question 20033.

In addition, for the Department’s assessment of the potential impact of the European Commission’s proposed maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements in Northern Ireland, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 9 September 2026 in response to Question 20032.

In Northern Ireland, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) holds policy responsibility relating to food supplements and the addition of vitamins and minerals and certain other substances to foods.

At present there are no maximum levels of vitamins and minerals set in legislation, in either Great Britain or the European Union. The EU is currently working on an initiative that will propose maximum levels for vitamins or minerals that may be added to food supplements and fortified foods, and minimum levels for specific vitamins and minerals when added to food supplements. Any proposals will be consulted upon by the EU, however, the consultation has not yet been published.

The FSA is monitoring the progress of the EU’s planned proposals, including any consultation, and further analysis will be carried out when further information is available. FSA officials will be working with counterparts across the United Kingdom through the Nutrition-related Labelling, Composition and Standards provisional Common Framework policy group to manage any changes relating to this area.

We have begun negotiations with the EU on an SPS agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and removing barriers to trade for British producers and retailers. While negotiations with the EU on the SPS agreement are underway, we will not be providing a running commentary of discussions.

Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influence many aspects of wellbeing in later life.

The Department has regulations in place that set nutritional, compositional, and labelling standards for commercial baby food for children from six to 36 months. These include maximum levels of iron, and minimum and maximum levels of some vitamins that can be added to commercial baby food. We continue to keep these regulations under review to ensure that the composition of infant food and drinks reflect the latest scientific advice and dietary guidelines. It is the responsibility of individual businesses to ensure they comply with the law and the responsibility of local authorities to enforce the law.

The Department has made no assessment of the potential merits of expanding standard National Health Service blood tests to routinely include B12, B6, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin D. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which provides evidence-base guidance for the health and care system on best practice, makes recommendations on testing for vitamin deficiency based on symptoms and risk factors.

NICE guidance makes recommendations on tests where the evidence supports their use in making a diagnosis, ruling out a condition, or for guiding treatment decisions. This is usually condition or symptom specific, and the NICE would not make recommendations on a ‘standard’ blood test or range of blood tests. NICE guidance is not mandatory, and therefore healthcare professionals should use their clinical judgement in deciding what blood tests should be carried out for individual patients, taking into account relevant national or local guidance, including NICE guidelines.

The shelf-life of Healthy Start Vitamins tablets for women is 24 months and the shelf-life of Healthy Start Vitamins drops for children is 15 months. Both products are supplied in containers which contain eight weeks’ supply.

The shelf-life of Healthy Start Vitamins tablets for women is 24 months and the shelf-life of Healthy Start Vitamins drops for children is 15 months. The Service Level Agreement under which Healthy Start Vitamins are supplied to local areas ensures that stocks with sufficient shelf-life should be dispatched and this should be a minimum of three months.

Vitamin C is under evaluation as a treatment for COVID-19 in the REMAP-CAP clinical trial. Patients in this trial are hospitalised with proven COVID-19 and have been admitted to intensive care for non-invasive or invasive ventilatory support or for cardiovascular support.

Vitamin D is not currently included in any ongoing clinical trials in the United Kingdom. However, there are ongoing research studies to assess its use in reducing risk of COVID-19 in those who are vitamin D deficient, its use as a prognostic marker in COVID-19 and data on vitamin use is being captured in a COVID-19 registry. There are guidelines use of vitamins, specifically vitamin D use as a nutritional supplement. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have issued specific guidance and evidence summary relating to vitamin D.

If retail clinics are intending to administer vitamin drips and other related therapies intravenously for a medicinal purpose then the products and associated advertising must be in compliance with all relevant aspects of medicines legislation which includes an assessment of the safety quality and efficacy for licensed medicines.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the United Kingdom body responsible for ensuring that medicines work and are acceptably safe.

Intravenous drips which are not intended for a medical purpose are not medicines and these products fall outside the MHRA’s jurisdiction.

The school food standards define the foods and drinks that must be provided, those which are restricted, and those which must not be provided by schools, including during breakfasts. The standards are food based and nutritional information of individual products is not specifically required, however schools and catering services must meet allergens law.

The standards severely restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, including high sugar foods and confectionery. It is for schools and caterers to decide what is an appropriate portion and to balance the food served across the school week including foods provided at breakfast service – fruit and/or vegetables must be available. The guidance to accompany the standards includes portion sizes and food groups. This is available on the resources page at: www.schoolfoodplan.com.

Schools are responsible for their day to day running and it is therefore a local decision as to whether they share their menus with parents.

Public Health England has not issued any recent guidance to general practitioners on advising patients to increase their intake of vitamins.

The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) provides information on intakes of vitamins and minerals and blood indicators of status.

Latest NDNS data (2014/15-2015/16) show that mean vitamin D intakes were a fifth to a third of the recommended amount in all age groups, and low blood vitamin D levels were seen in 26% of older children (11-18 years) and 17% of adults (19-64 years).

Low blood folate levels, indicating risk of anaemia, were found in 28% of older girls, 15% of older boys and 7% of adults.

54% of older girls and 27% of adult women had low iron intakes, and iron deficiency based on blood samples was found in 9% of older girls and 5% of adult women.

There was also evidence of low intakes of vitamin A, riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, potassium and selenium in some age groups.

Results of the NDNS are available to view at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey

In order to determine continued eligibility for Healthy Start vouchers and vitamins, it is necessary for beneficiaries to contact the Healthy Start Issuing Unit (HSIU) to confirm their eligibility status. This is to ensure that beneficiaries are receiving the correct amount of vouchers per the number of children in the household.

Calls to the HSIU cost no more than calls to standard United Kingdom landline phone numbers. An e-mail contact form is also available.