Vol. 555 No. 2
333 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of EU directives concerning food supplements and herbal medicine products; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18389/02]
The examination of the EU Directive on traditional herbal medicinal products is currently continuing at the European Parliament and Council. I welcome the benefits that the new directive will provide to consumers in the context of improved quality and safety of traditional medicinal products.
Some concerns have been expressed about certain aspects of the traditional herbal medicinal products directive, and my officials are currently seeking to ascertain the degree of support among other member states to address such concerns.
With regard to food supplements, on 10 June 2002, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on food supplements setting out harmonised rules for the sale of vitamins and minerals as dietary supplements. This directive requires that maximum levels in the EU for vitamins and minerals will be set out based on scientific risk assessment and data on vitamin and mineral intake from other foods.
The directive was adopted in response to an increase in the use of pills and capsules as diet supplements and to varying national rules on, and attitudes to, the proliferation of these products. The objective of the directive is two fold. First it sets out the general framework and safety rules for food supplements. Second it provides that the consumer will be given detailed information on the label in order to ensure that the consumer can make an informed purchasing choice.
The directive will be transposed into Irish law by 31 July 2003.
