Vol. 525 No. 5
269 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children his position on the EU draft directive on food supplements; if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by the Irish Association of Food Stores regarding the directive, in particular in relation to the manner in which the upper safe level is being applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25650/00]
In fulfilment of a commitment in the EU White Paper on Food Safety, the European Commission published a draft directive on the approximation of the laws relating to food supplements in May 2000. To date, there have been three meetings of the EU working party of experts to discuss this draft directive. Officials from my Department, the Permanent Representation and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland have attended these meetings.
In developing a national position on this draft directive, my Department has met the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Irish Medicines Board and industry representatives, including the Irish Association of Health Stores. My Department has taken careful note of that association's views relating to the draft directive and the manner in which the upper safe level will be applied in that context.
