3581. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will outline Ireland's current position regarding discussions at EU level on the proposed setting of Maximum Permitted Levels (MPLs) for vitamins and minerals in food supplements. [56949/26]

3582. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm whether Ireland's representatives on the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF Committee) will seek a pause in the process until all relevant and up-to-date scientific evidence has been fully considered. [56950/26]

3584. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of concerns that the proposed limits could result in certain food supplements, including higher-strength vitamin C, magnesium and vitamin D products, no longer being available to Irish consumers in their current form. [56952/26]

3586. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she has considered the concerns expressed by over 20,000 signatories to a petition (details supplied) and a further 10,000 signatories collected through health stores, including the actions she intends to take to ensure that Irish consumers are appropriately represented in these discussions and that their ability to make informed choices regarding their health is protected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56954/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3581, 3582, 3584 and 3586 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 petition and website referred to by the Deputy are not official Government consultation mechanisms and, accordingly, the Department is not in a position to comment on the content of 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 well-being. 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. The proposed approach being developed by the European Commission is based on scientific risk assessment and takes account of the most up-to-date evidence, dietary intake data and established safety thresholds.

The department recognises that nutritional needs vary across different groups and that factors such as diet, age, health status and geographical location may influence nutritional requirements. Ireland’s approach to food supplements regulation is informed by the best available scientific evidence and expert risk assessment, including advice from the Food Safety Authority (FSAI) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).  The approach currently under consideration by the European Commission is broadly consistent with the principles outlined in that advice, namely that consumer safety should be the primary consideration and that decisions should be based on robust scientific evidence.

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.

The Department will closely be monitoring developments and engaging with the European Commission, the FSAI and relevant stakeholders. The Department has not yet finalised a national position on this matter. Any position taken by Ireland will be informed by the scientific evidence provided by EFSA and other expert bodies, consideration of consumer safety, the views of stakeholders, and the need to ensure that consumers continue to have access to safe and appropriately regulated food supplements.

The Department will continue to ensure that Ireland's interests are represented throughout the discussions and that any future measures are considered carefully in light of both public health objectives and consumer needs.

Thank you again for writing on this important issue.