The Food Supplement Directive 2002/46/EC was adopted on 10 June 2002 to establish specific rules on vitamins and minerals used in food supplements and harmonised rules for labelling. The aim is to ensure that consumers are provided with safe and appropriately labelled products across the EU. The European Commission has indicated that it does not intend to restrict vitamin and mineral levels where there is no safety concern, and is expected to offer a proposal for maximum levels based on safe upper levels in 2010.
A range of vitamin and mineral substances used in food supplements and currently marketed in member states are undergoing a scientific safety evaluation, and member states may provide derogations until 31 December 2009 for vitamins and minerals and their forms not currently included in the Directive.
The Commission has advised that there is no intention to regulate ingredients other than vitamins and minerals at this stage.