01.01.07
Leading food industry and food supplement representatives, as well as key EU member states and commission officials from across Europe, came together on Friday, November 24th in Brussels, Belgium, for the European Federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM) and the European Responsible Nutrition Alliance (ERNA) conference to establish an EU-wide agreement on maximum levels for vitamins and minerals. There was general consensus on a number of points, including the principles for risk management, the need for a case-by-case approach based on the safety of nutrients, and the need to maintain consumer choice. The European Commission indicated that it has no intention of restricting vitamin and mineral levels where there is no safety concern and said that all input from stakeholders will be carefully considered. Further discussion would be needed on certain specific nutrients, as well as on the harmonization of scientific input and further data intake collection. Other issues included how to address remaining scientific uncertainties in setting levels and the legal requirements from the EU and World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations that member states and the commission will have to follow. Reportedly, the commission will issue its proposal on EU vitamin and mineral levels by the end of 2007.