Conference to air views on vitamin, mineral levels

The conference, taking place on 24 November in Brussels, is organised by European Federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM) and the European Responsible Nutrition Alliance (ERNA). It follows the September 30 deadline for comments on the EC discussion document published in June, which raised certain questions about the levels and presenting in its annexes several proposals for how the levels may be set.

A review of the responses will be presented by Fabio D'Atri, administrator at the food law, nutrition and labelling unit, DG Sanco, European Commission.D'Atri will also outline the next step towards an EU directive. This would normally be to make a proposal that would then be discussed with Member States. Since it would not need to go through parliament, so the process will be quicker than the passing of the initial directive.

Maximum levels for vitamins and minerals has been on the table for several years, forming part of two pieces of European legislation: the 2002 Food Supplements Directive; and the EU regulation on fortified foods that is currently making its way through the rule-making process.

Professor Peter Aggett of the University of Central Lancashire and member of the FAO/WHO expert and task groups on nutrient risk assessment will explain the principles of nutrient safety evaluations that form the basis of risk assessment models in Europe, and will highlight conclusions that these models have in common.

A critical review of the EHPM/ERNA model and its practical application will be given by Astrid Kruizinga, consultant at TNO Quality of Life.

The key issues relating to setting maximum levels for food supplements and for fortified foods will be outlined by Peter van Doorn, chairman of EHPM and Basil Mathioudakis, head of the EC food law nutrition and labelling unit respectively.

More information is available from EHPM​ and ERNA​NutraIngredients.com will be reporting from the conference.