IRELAND HAS NOT YET DECIDED ITS POSITION ON EU SUPPLEMENT RESTRICTIONS – AND WHY THAT MATTERS

Following our recent meeting with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, we have some encouraging news to share about the proposed EU restrictions on vitamin and mineral supplements, along with an update on the next steps for our campaign.

Ireland’s position is still being considered

We recently met directly with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) to discuss the proposed EU harmonisation of Maximum Permitted Levels (MPLs) for vitamins and minerals in food supplements.

These proposals could introduce common limits on supplement strengths across the EU, potentially affecting products that have been available to Irish consumers for many years.

One of the most important takeaways from our meeting was that Ireland has not yet established its final position on the proposed harmonised limits.

There has also been an important development at European level. The European Commission has confirmed that technical discussions are continuing and that it intends to hold a public Call for Evidence and examine further scientific data before making decisions.

This means there is still an important opportunity for scientific evidence, public health concerns and consumer perspectives to be considered.

We’re continuing to engage with decision-makers, gather scientific evidence and make sure the voices of Irish consumers and the wider natural health community are heard.

Why this matters for Ireland’s health

Our central concern is that the potential public health consequences of restricting access to established supplement strengths need to be properly examined.

Ireland faces particular nutritional challenges, including widespread inadequate vitamin D intakes.

According to the FSAI, 90% of adults on the island of Ireland have inadequate vitamin D intakes, and vitamin D supplementation is recommended for much of the population.

This is an important reminder that nutritional inadequacy is already a public health concern in Ireland.

We’re not suggesting that supplements can replace a healthy diet or appropriate medical care. Nor are we suggesting that higher doses are always better. Sensible safety limits are important, and excessive intakes of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful.

But we do believe that the potential health consequences, costs and benefits of any major restrictions must be properly assessed before decisions are made.

At a time when our health service is already under enormous pressure, it makes sense to consider nutritional adequacy alongside the need to protect consumers from excessive intakes.

We want regulation that is based on sound science, proportionate to the risks and appropriate to the needs of Irish consumers.

Building international connections

We’re also delighted to have established a connection with the Safeguard Ashwagandha campaign, which is working internationally to promote evidence-based regulation of botanical supplements.

The campaign was formally launched in Europe at the European Parliament in July, bringing together scientists, policymakers and industry representatives.

Although the regulatory issues surrounding botanical supplements are different from those involving vitamin and mineral MPLs, there is common ground in the importance of scientific evidence, proportionate regulation and meaningful consultation.

Through this connection, we hope to strengthen our access to scientific expertise, international experience and regulatory knowledge as we prepare for the next stage of the EU process.

Our next priority: Reaching more people

Over the coming months, one of our biggest priorities will be raising public awareness.

We’re planning a new wave of educational videos and social media content to explain what’s happening, why it matters and how people can make their voices heard.

We want this discussion to reach beyond the natural health sector and into the wider public conversation about nutrition, preventative health and consumer choice.

And this is where we need your help.

We’re fundraising to support this work and help us reach more people.

If you’ve already donated, thank you so much. Your support has helped us bring the campaign this far.

If you’re in a position to contribute, even a small donation will help us continue our work. And if donating isn’t possible, sharing the campaign with friends and family is enormously valuable too.

Support the Save Our Supplements campaign

Further reading: Is a balanced diet enough?

We’ve also recently published an article exploring emerging evidence of nutritional shortfalls, changes in the nutrient content of our food and the potential nutritional implications of GLP-1 weight-loss medications.

It raises an important question:

If many people already struggle to obtain adequate nutrients, shouldn’t we be particularly careful about introducing restrictions that could affect access to supplements?

Is a Balanced Diet Enough? New Research Raises Questions as EU Considers Supplement Restrictions

What happens next?

The EU process is continuing, and there are still important questions to be answered.

We’ll be following developments closely, engaging with the relevant authorities and preparing to contribute to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence when it opens.

Most importantly, we’ll continue to make the case for regulation that protects public health, reflects the best available science and considers the needs of Irish consumers.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign, signed the petition, shared our information or helped us get the message out.

There’s still work to be done, and Ireland’s voice deserves to be heard.