What is the threat to vitamins and minerals in the UK?
A. The EU introduced the Food Supplements Directive (FSD) and although couched as a measure to ensure consumer safety, the Directive has been prepared in order to harmonise the vitamins and minerals market across all Member States. Even though the Government into British law has accepted the Directive, there is still a great deal that can be done to secure higher dose safe levels, plus substantial additions to the Lists. There are two major problems; the first with the Positive Lists, the second with maximum permitted doses. The EU operates using Napoleonic Law, meaning that everything is forbidden unless it is specifically allowed, which explains the Positive Lists showing nutrients and nutrient sources attached to the Directive. These lists were lifted from the PARNUTS Directive, not specifically prepared for FSD, and dictate the nutrients and nutrient sources permitted for use in dietary supplements. Because of this, more than 250 nutrients and nutrient sources currently on the Brit
