asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of concern expressed about the promotion of the very low-calorie diets in Ireland similar to diet programmes which have been reported in America to cause abnormal heart rhythms and sudden deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Low-Calorie Diets.
6.
I have asked the Food Advisory Committee to examine these very low calorie diets and to report to me on their value and safety.
In the meantime I have asked the company concerned to ensure that users are clearly informed of the need to seek medical advice from their doctor before starting and during their diets.
Is there any automatic control over such diet programmes being sold here? Is it open to any company to promote such programmes here without reference to the Department of Health or to the health boards? If that is the case, would the Minister agree that there are dangers involved? I understand that the heart traumas and dangers referred to in my question have been proven to be the case in the US and that some of these programmes have been banned.
I presume the Deputy is referring to a recent report by the medical correspondent in The Irish Times in relation to a company. Officers of my Department had discussions with the company last week at the company's request following the publication of the article. The company claims that its diet formula was different from the so-called Cambridge diet in that it did contain more protein. The company also claims that, since their product went on the market some months ago here and in the UK, there have not been any reported health complaints of a major nature. Some persons allergic to dairy products have had problems. The Food Hygiene Advisory Committee have been asked for their views on the medical safety of such formulae and the company indicated that it makes it clear to people that the diet should be taken under medical supervision. I have asked for a report on this and as soon as I receive it I will forward it to the Deputy. Pending the preparation of that report we issued a letter to the company, before they had a meeting with the Department, asking them to ensure that their sales representatives made it clear to users that they must have medical advice before starting and during their diets.