Vol. 564 No. 3
204 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the timetable envisaged by his Department for the negotiation and signing of the EU directive on food supplements; if he will outline his Department's negotiating position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9435/03]
Directive 2002/46/EC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to food supplements which was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on 10 June 2002, establishes harmonised rules for the sale of vitamins and minerals as dietary supplements and for the labelling of these products. The objective of the directive is to set out a general framework and safety rules for vitamins and minerals in the EU and to ensure that these products are appropriately labelled so that consumers can make informed choices.
Drafting of national legislation to give effect to the directive is under way. This drafting process has included consultations between the Department of Health and Children, the Irish Medicines Board and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, and my Department has also had contact with the Irish Health Trade Association and the Irish Association of Health Stores. The Department of Health and Children intends to implement this directive by the due date which is 31 July next.
