Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Health Food Manufacturers' Association (E51)
Thank you and your colleagues for giving us
the opportunity to provide evidence on the various issues surrounding
the sale and science of Vitamin B6. One interesting point that
seemed to be emerging from Jeff Rooker's responses is that he
has no confidence that MCA will give licences to B6 products containing
more than 49 mg, let alone to the combination products which include
such levels along with other nutrients and even herbs. I will
check the situation out with MCA [See Annex I].
We are preparing, as you requested, a dossier
of labels, promotional and training material about B6 and realise
the urgency with which it is required.
I fear that Jeff Rooker was simply not accurate
in his remarks about this Association declining to consider label
warnings. We were never asked. He did ask us to consider a voluntary
limitation of 10 mg. We did turn that down. I have written to
the Minister about this and a copy is enclosed [Annex 2]. A MAFF
official confirmed these facts after the meeting.
I assume that the dossier from Professor Woods
refuting the American conclusions of some of the most eminent
scientists in the world is now in the public domain. I am copying
this to your Committee office in the hope that you will agree
to our having a copy so that we can ask the Americans to respond.
Please do not hesitate to come back to me if
there is any way in which we can assist the deliberations of your
Committee.
20 May 1998
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