The European Commission has proposed a regulation setting out common rules for the voluntary addition of vitamins, minerals and other substances such as herbal extracts to foods.
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The proposed legislation would harmonise the different rules in Member States and allow the free movement throughout the EU of foods “fortified” with nutrients. It would also create a list of approved vitamins, minerals and other substances.
Minimum and maximum levels for adding different nutrients to foods would be set following scientific advice and labelling would show consumers which nutrients have been added to each product.
“We all know a healthy diet is a varied diet. People choosing to add nutrients to their diet by selecting foodstuffs fortified with vitamins and minerals should be guaranteed safe products labelled with clear and accurate information to avoid any risk of taking a vitamin overdose,” said David Byrne, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection. “Industry would also benefit from clear EU-wide rules backed up by solid science.”
At the moment Member States have very different rules on adding nutrients to food. This can create obstacles for the free movement of goods and means there are different standards of food safety across the EU. The proposed new regulation would reduce this problem by creating harmonised rules based on solid science which would ensure a high level of consumer health protection, the Commission said.
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