April 2007 update on food supplements
Wednesday 11 April 2007
Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC: Addition of vitamin and mineral substances to the annexes
The Agency seeks your views on the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinions and the anticipated proposal for amendments to the Annexes to the Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC, to add calcium malate, magnesium malate, zinc malate, and magnesium potassium citrate to the lists of permitted vitamin and mineral substances.
As you will be aware, EFSA is undertaking scientific evaluations on the vitamin and mineral substances for which dossiers have been submitted by industry. EFSA has recently issued favourable scientific opinions on calcium malate, magnesium malate, zinc malate and magnesium potassium citrate for use in foods for particular nutritional uses, food supplements and foods intended for the general population.
The documents for these opinions can be found on the EFSA website:
- EFSA opinion on malates
- EFSA opinion on magnesium potassium citrate
FSA toxicologists have reviewed these opinions and concur with their findings.
It is envisaged that the Commission will bring forward proposals to Standing Committee in due course, for amendment of the Annexes of the Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC to include the above substances. Depending on when the Commission issues these and the date of the Standing Committee there may not be sufficient time to carry out a full public consultation of 12 weeks.
Therefore, in anticipation of future proposals, we are seeking input now from stakeholders. In particular:
- any views on the addition of these substances to Annex II of the Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC
- identification of any burdens that these changes may impose on businesses
- identification of any benefits that these changes may bring to businesses
This information will help us anticipate the impact of the proposals.
We will also inform you when the proposals are brought forward by the Commission, however there may be a shorter time period for consultation at that stage, according to the timing set by the Commission. The Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation recognises that consultation periods of less than 12 weeks may be necessary to meet EU timetables.
We would appreciate responses by Friday 4 May 2007.
All comments and views should be sent to:
Karen Pratt
Novel Foods, Additives and Supplements Division
Food Standards Agency
Room 515B Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London WC2B 6NH
Tel: 020 7276 8568
Fax: 020 7276 8564
Email: supps_consult@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk