The European Union is currently deliberating how to limit dosages of vitamins and minerals in commerce. The move is mandated by the European food supplements directive, which came into force in 2004. The directive regulates the commerce of nutrient-dense food supplements but full implementation is still years away, expected to take hold by 2010. Temporary permission for hundreds of specific forms of vitamins and minerals used in supplements for decades, for which 'dossiers' were required to be submitted, will run out in December 2009. The deliberations on dosage limits are expected to come to a conclusion that same year.

Apparently Kyprianou's office has received a huge number of letters from concerned consumers writing from all over Europe, who do not like the prospect of having to switch from vitamin C to lemon juice, and the Commission feels that some kind of a response is needed. In a letter to the Irish Association of Health Stores, sent on behalf of Kyprianou, Paula Pinho states that Kyprianou "has already received a serious number of similar letters [about the food supplements directive]. Therefore, it says, "the Cabinet of Commissioner Kyprianou, in cooperation with DG SANCO, has decided to provide a detailed answer to all these letters through Internet."

Carrots on prescription - Artwork by Emma Holister.

The Commissioner's 'detailed reply' however does not address specific consumer concerns. It reads like a plea for people to stop bothering the Commission while it does its important work. Well worn phrases like supplements are "intended for supplementing the normal diet" and they should be "safe and provide a wide choice to consumers" are little consolation to those of us who use nutrients at higher than normal doses to keep illness away and support an active and healthy life style.

The Commission's 'discussion paper' on dosages and the responses to this call for input from member states and stakeholders - industry, trade and consumers - but not the letters from individual consumers, are linked from that same page.

This episode recalls an earlier reply to consumers, given by the previous EU Commissioner, David Byrne, during the passage of the food supplements directive, which similarly assured us that nothing untoward was going to happen - that the new regulations were going to be all for the best, that consumers would have a wide choice and be safe in the knowledge of being 'protected' by the authorities.