Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2013
222. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will have the Irish Medicines Board carry out a test to determine if fluoride is safe for human consumption and have the results made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41605/13]
View answerFluoride is a natural mineral found, in variable concentrations, in soil, fresh water, sea water, plants and many foods. The European Food Safety Authority in its "Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for Vitamins and Minerals" (2005) reviewed the upper levels of daily intakes of fluoride that are unlikely to pose a risk of adverse health effects and determined a value of 7mg/day. Fluoride is not a medicine or drug and its safety for human consumption has been determined. Therefore testing by the Irish Medicines Board is considered neither necessary nor appropriate.
