EU Rules Threatening To Sweep Away Vitamin Pills

[CVX]

Gaby Hinsliff Political Editor
The Observer

Vitamin supplements used by thousands of Britons, from pregnant women to people warding off winter colds, are to be swept from shop shelves from the new year under controversial European Union safety regulations.

Carole Caplin, former style adviser to Cherie Blair, will front a last-ditch campaign next month to get the directive on food supplements overturned.

It would affect up to 5,000 products, including best-sellers such as Solgar's Pre-Natal Nutrients tablets, taken by pregnant and breastfeeding women; and VM-2000 multi-nutrient pills, a compound of antioxidants. Megadose vitamins, such as the high-strength vitamin C tablets taken by many to stave off coughs and sniffles, are also under threat, with new safety standards to be issued separately early next year.

Campaigners will take their fight to the European courts in January. However, they say some manufacturers have begun withdrawing from the legal challenge or started reformulating supplements to ensure they comply by August, when the directive will become law.

'We have got to do everything we can to put pressure on the British government, otherwise British consumers who have used these products for 40 or 50 years will lose out,' said Sue Croft of the pressure group, Consumers for Health Choice.

'People are using supplements as an insurance policy to keep themselves well. I'm not saying vitamins are a cure-all, but as a measure to keep somebody in good health, they work.

'If it's safe, you should be allowed to use it; therefore I cannot understand why the British government is not fighting our corner.'

She said campaigners were also worried about the threat to megadose vitamins. 'We have a vitamin culture here, and we do take these high-strength nutrients where good science supports them. That could be 3g of vitamin C for example, where on the continent the highest dose you can get in some countries is 200mg.'

One in three women takes some form of health food supplement, particularly during pregnancy or menopause, as does one in four men.

Caplin, who regularly recommends alternative remedies to clients, is understood to have lobbied the Prime Minister personally.

She has also publicly accused the Health Minister, Melanie Johnson, of showing a 'distinct lack of care and interest' in the issue. Peter Hain, the Leader of the Commons, who has a longstanding interest in alternative therapies, is also understood to have raised objections to the directive, which he has described as 'heavy-handed'. Some 180 MPs have signed a Commons motion expressing 'grave concern' that pills and powders in common use are to become illegal.

The Food Supplements Directive in effect outlaws health food preparations containing ingredients not on its 'positive list' of permitted substances. Manufacturers prepared to draw up a detailed scientific dossier arguing that their ingredients are proven to be safe are allowed an extension until 2008.

Campaigners say the 'agreed' list was simply borrowed from one drawn up for baby foods, and there is no evidence any of the ingredients are unsafe for adults. They argue Britain is suffering from a culture-clash with continental countries, which traditionally treat vitamins as akin to medicines. In Greece they are usually obtained through pharmacists, while a 'megadose' of vitamin C in Italy can be only one-tenth as strong as one in Britain.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: 'We want to protect public health while keeping wide consumer choice.'

Many doctors are sceptical about megadose vitamins, arguing that a healthy diet meets most people's needs.

[Paula]

People should have the right to take what they want, as far as supplements go? I think epherda needed to go, to take vitamins along with what is called a healthy diet is up to the person? Vitamins and supplements, herbs whatever keep the body clean? It is the individuals responsibility to take sensibly, otherwise, we can't have them anymore?

If the EU ever did anything in anyone's best interest, it would be to dissolve the EU itself. Actually, I blame France.

[Tombstone]

I agree with the above comments. I'm still watching with wide eyes regarding the EU and its attempt to become a modern day melting pot of laws and regulations - with a highly diverse captive audience hanging on for the ride.

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by elise

If the EU ever did anything in anyone's best interest, it would be to dissolve the EU itself. Actually, I blame France.

Lovely!

[Hawke]

This is sorta kinda off topic, but...live with it

Isn't it interesting how the US government dosen't like us importing medications from Canada because they are "unmonitored" and "potentially unsafe", yet in the past month or two Vioxx, Celebrex and Aleve have all proven to be unsafe drugs...

Just an observation.

Originally Posted by Bill Sikes

Lovely!

Since you left off my , I am not certain if I should feel insulted or complimented. Here:

[Paula]

elise, what is insulting? i don't see a compliment either? did i miss something again? oh my god.

Originally Posted by Paula

elise, what is insulting? i don't see a compliment either? did i miss something again? oh my god.

The poster to whom my message was addressed had simply captured my words, leaving off the emoticon, and wrote "Lovely." To me, that means he is either agreeing or disagreeing. I was curious as to why, if agreeing, the emoticon was gone and, conversely, if disagreeing..............why?

Make sense now, Paula?

[weeder]

Originally Posted by Fyrehawke

This is sorta kinda off topic, but...live with it

Isn't it interesting how the US government dosen't like us importing medications from Canada because they are "unmonitored" and "potentially unsafe", yet in the past month or two Vioxx, Celebrex and Aleve have all proven to be unsafe drugs...

Just an observation.

Ive been taking Alleve for 20 years easily.Used to be Annaprox. They were so great for cramps, headache et...... I would be nervous if they werent in the house.Past 10 years Ive taken them for body aches, signs of arthritus. Im a nervous wreck to hear they cause heart attacks. Too late now...............