Madam, - As health store retailers we have been lobbying for some two years to draw the attention of politicians to the disastrous implications of the Food Supplements Directive for our trade, so it was intensely interesting to read a consumer's view of the potential denial of her right to choose safe and effective natural healthcare if this directive is enforced (July 15th). The relevant statutory instrument giving the directive force in Irish law is due to be signed by the Minister by July 31st.
If fully implemented this directive would dumb down vitamin and mineral supplements currently on our shelves to levels available in other EU states which have no tradition of usage. This is like using a sledgehammer to crack open a peanut: safety is simply not an issue. We stand to loose up to 85 per cent of the vitamin and mineral supplements currently available on Irish shop shelves.
The Minister for Health and politicians of all parties are well aware of our concerns. It is to be hoped that common sense will prevail, and that respect for a tradition of free choice will prevent the nonsensical erosion of consumer rights and of a thriving industry in the name of EU "commercial harmonisation". - Yours, etc.,
JILL BELL, Chairperson, Irish Association of Health Stores, Midleton, Co Cork.