Protection of human health: addition of nutrients to food

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Karin SCHEELE (PES, AT) and voted to adopt the compromise text agreed by Parliament, Council and Commission. The compromise focuses primarily on three elements: the definition of “other substances”, the setting of vitamin and mineral ratios, and the extension of marketing deadlines for foods after the entry into force of the legislation. The main amendments were as follows:

- “Other substance” means a substance other than a vitamin or a mineral that has a nutritional or physiological effect. The Council had ignored this amendment in its common position.

- The compromise text includes the notion of “bioavailability” in its operative clauses. Nutrients added must be capable of being used by the body. Otherwise it would be misleading for the consumer and in extreme cases “can cause damage to health”.

- The positive list attached to the regulation listing more than 100 formulae for vitamins and minerals that can be added to food has been removed from the compromise.

- The Commission may submit proposals for the maximum amounts of vitamins and minerals in the food as sold, within years of entry into force of the Regulation.

- Finally, foods present on the market prior to the entry into force of the Regulation may be sold up to 35 months after its entry into force.