The EU directive aimed at reducing the vitamin and mineral content of food supplements was passed by the European Parliament. Any impact of the directive will not be felt by consumers for about three years as it has to pass through various EU channels before being signed into law by member-states.
Ms Nuala Ahern, Leinster MEP, said the new measures were “outrageous” and would grossly infringe consumers’ rights. People had been safely taking these supplements for years and the directive would force consumers to purchase these products on the Internet, where there were “zero” controls. Green MEP Ms Patricia McKenna said the directive was “draconian”. Legislators should not be guided by RDAs as they were quite low.