Gov. 'Has Given in to EU Ban on Health Food Supplements/UK

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From the new World Media Watch up now at http:/www.zianet.com/insightanalytical

Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com


5//The Independent, UK 03 January 2005

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/story.jsp?story=597349



GOVERNMENT ‘HAS GIVEN IN TO EU BAN ON HEALTH FOOD SUPPLEMENTS’

By Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor



Ministers were accused of hypocrisy yesterday over an EU directive which could force health shops to stop selling a number of remedies and food supplements used by cancer sufferers and obese people.



The row is over attempts by the EU to ban food supplements and vitamin-based products which could be harmful in large doses, and for which the makers have made exaggerated health claims. But campaigners including Carole Caplin, the self-styled health and lifestyle guru, and the actress Jenny Seagrove say hundreds of remedies will be included in the ban.



Ms Caplin told MPs at a protest meeting that the directive will ban the sale of supplements containing calcium, magnesium and boron used for strengthening brittle bones and by patients with hip replacements; nutrient supplements and antioxidants for cancer sufferers; food supplements to reduce obesity; and folic acid supplements for women to reduce neural tube defects such as spina bifida in babies.



Health ministers have assured consumers, retailers and manufacturers of health foods that they are doing all they can to ensure safe remedies are not banned.



But EU documents obtained by The Independent reveal that the Government's lawyers have said the UK does not dispute the basis for the new regulations that threaten the sale of many health food products.

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