The European Commission has published new Regulation (EC) No 1170/2009 (of 30 November 2009) amending Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of Council and Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the lists of vitamin and minerals and their forms that can be added to foods, including food supplements.
This means that as of 20 December 2009 the vitamins and minerals listed in Annex I to the new Regulation may be used in the forms listed in Annex II in the manufacture of food supplements. New sources of vitamins and minerals, which have been authorized after this, are included in the annex II to the Food Supplement Directive 2002/46/EC.
European Food Safety Authority EFSA has completed the assessment of the vitamins and minerals, and sources of them, the addition of which is authorised by way of derogation. The vitamins and minerals on which a favourable opinion has been given have been included in the new Regulation (2009/1170/EC).
Upon adoption of the new Regulation the marketing of products, which do not meet the requirements set forth in the Regulation, is prohibited from 1 January 2010. Food supplements containing vitamins and/or minerals, and sources of them, which are not authorised under the new Regulation, will be withdrawn from the market. Instructions for withdrawal are provided on Finnish Food Authority's website.