3482. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a campaign in relation to proposed amendments to the permissible use of vitamins and supplements at a EU level (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56546/26]

3483. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding engagement she has had with a campaign in relation to proposed amendments to the permissible use of vitamins and supplements at EU level (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56547/26]

3484. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding research carried out by her Department into proposed amendments to the permissible use of vitamins and supplements at EU level (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56548/26]

3485. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the transposition into Irish law in relation to proposed amendments to the permissible use of vitamins and supplements at an EU level (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56549/26]

3486. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a research group or taskforce established by her Department into the regulation of vitamins and supplements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56550/26]

3487. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the mechanism behind the approval of vitamins and supplements for sale in the Irish market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56551/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3482 to 3487, inclusive, together.

Thank you for your query.

I am aware of the European Commission's ongoing work to consider harmonised maximum amounts for vitamins and minerals in food supplements and fortified foods.

The campaign referred to by the Deputy is not an official Government consultation mechanism and, accordingly, the Department is not in a position to comment on the material published on a private website or on claims made therein.

Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients that play an important role in maintaining health and wellbeing. While they are necessary for normal bodily functions, excessive intake of some vitamins and minerals can result in adverse health effects. For this reason, scientific bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have established Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs), which indicate the maximum amount of a nutrient that can be consumed daily without posing a risk to health.

Maximum Amounts are limits on the levels of vitamins and minerals that may be present in food supplements and fortified foods. Their purpose is to protect consumers by ensuring that products placed on the market do not contribute to unsafe levels of nutrient intake. Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements envisages the setting of MAs of vitamins and minerals in supplements via the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (https://food.ec.europa.eu/horizontal-topics/committees/paff-committees_en procedure. The legal basis for setting MAs for food supplements by the European Commission is Article 5 of Directive 2002/46/EC.

On behalf of the Department of Health, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) participates in the EU Commission Working Group on Food Supplements and on the Addition of Vitamins and Minerals to Foods where the setting of MAs is being discussed. The FSAI Scientific Committee previously gave advice with regards to setting maximum amounts www.fsai.ie/publications/the-safety-of-vitamins-and-minerals-in-food-suppleThe approach proposed by the European Commission is in line with this advice. The values will be set on the most up-to-date scientific data, a standard model of calculation and on a case-by-case basis.

Some stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the potential impact of future Maximum Amounts on the availability and strength of certain food supplements. It is important to note that the European Commission has not yet presented final proposals and no binding limits have been agreed at EU level. The Commission is continuing its preparatory work and has indicated that stakeholders will have opportunities to provide evidence and feedback through forthcoming consultation processes.

Should the European Commission undertake a public consultation or call for evidence, consumers and stakeholders will have an opportunity to make their views known and those views will be taken into account in the development of Ireland's position.

Thank you again for writing on this important issue.