FOOD SUPPLEMENTS DIRECTIVE

Early day motion 146, tabled 3 June 2010 by Baroness Hoey (Labour). Signed by 44 members.

That this House notes the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements under the provisions of Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive remains work in progress on the part of the European Commission; observes that millions of United Kingdom consumers have registered with their Members of Parliament their deep concern about the threat to the continued availability of many safe and popular higher potency supplements; further notes that industry has calculated that a restrictive interpretation of the legislation could lead to the closure of 700 health food stores and the loss of 4,000 jobs in the sector; further notes that the policy of the Conservative Party in the run up to the General Election was firm opposition to this measure and that of the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State was strong support for the freedom of consumers to choose; and looks to the Ministers of the new Coalition Government to honour the commitments of their parties and ensure that no food supplements are removed from the UK market as a result of this burdensome measure.

Signatures by party: Labour 20, Conservative 9, Liberal Democrat 5, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Green 1, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.