Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 1

Written Answers. - Dietary Supplements.

John Bruton

Question:

131 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has any plans to introduce regulations of dietary supplements on sale here to ensure that accurate and full information on their effects is available to consumers. [15443/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

In its White Paper on Food Safety published in January 2000, the European Commission committed itself to laying down provisions for marketing of concentrated sources of nutrients – vitamins and minerals – that is, food supplements. Discussions among member states on this draft directive are currently at a very advanced stage.

I propose to introduce national regulations to give effect to this directive within the deadline as laid down in the directive. In order to ensure a high level of protection for consumers and to facilitate consumer choice, the draft directive aims to ensure that products placed on the market are safe and bear adequate and appropriate labelling. In addition, to facilitate the efficient monitoring of food supplements, the draft directive enables member states to establish a notification procedure.