EC Vitamins, Minerals Draft Directive Features Positive List Proposal
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
The European Commission's draft directive on food supplements includes a "positive" list of nutrients deemed "essential" for human nutrition.
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European supplement regs
Directive on Food Supplements passes European Parliament by 36-18 vote March 13. Parliament adds one amendment, which would require vitamin/mineral manufacturers with ingredients not on approved list of supplements to submit safety data in three years, instead of 18 months, as originally proposed. Amendment takes into account "needs of small manufacturers who may find it prohibitively expensive to carry out safety testing over a short period." Directive, introduced in May 2000, has undergone two readings of the EU Council and Parliament; it now heads to the EU president for final approval. Regs would "harmonize the substantially diverging national rules" on sale of food supplements in EU member states, require detailed labeling information (1"The Tan Sheet" May 15, 2000, p. 18)...
European Parliament
EC legislative body votes Feb. 14 in favor of an EU-wide draft directive on food supplements, adding five minerals (boron, vanadium, nickel, tin and silicon) to "positive list" of ingredients that can be included in foods and supplements. Adoption of the plan and addition of minerals does not finish the process, Association of the European Self-Medication Industry notes. Directive now moves to Council of Ministers, where it will be considered as early as March 12. The EC draft directive was released in May (1"The Tan Sheet" May 15, 2000, p. 18)
EC Draft Directive On Vitamins, Minerals Imminent; Herbals Excluded
The European Commission plans to release a draft directive this month that will include a positive list of vitamins and minerals that may be included in marketed supplement products, European Advisory Services Regulatory Affairs Manager Stefanie Geiser reported at a National Nutritional Foods Association symposium in Washington, D.C. April 3.