What action it will take to set scientifically-based maximum safety limits for food supplement preparations.

I am advised on this issue bythe Food Standards Agency and I consider that maximum limits should be set at levelswhich protect public health, but neither unnecessarily limit consumer choice norunduly restrict trade.
The Food Standards Agency hasalso advised that a full review to inform the setting of maximum safe upper levelsof vitamins and minerals in food supplements has recently been completed by theUK’sExpert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (EVM). The EVM’s report was published on 8 May 2003.
Article 5 of the Food SupplementsDirective sets out the principles for setting maximum levels of vitamins and mineralsin food supplements, although no such levels have yet been set. The European Commissionwill make a separate legislative proposal in future. The Food Standards Agency,which is responsible for negotiations on this issue, takes every opportunity topress this stance on limits bilaterally with other member states. The EVM’s advicewill form the basis of the UK’s position when substantive discussions on setting maximumlimits at EU level take place.