Council Press Release, 12 October 2006

CLAIMS/FORTIFICATION – Council adopts proposals for addition of vitamins and minerals to foods and for nutrition and health claims made on foods

The following are extracts from the report of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council Meeting:

Addition of vitamins and minerals to foods

The Council adopted, by qualified majority1, a Regulation on the addition of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods, approving all of the amendments passed by the European Parliament at second reading (PE-CONS 3617/06, doc. 12223/06 ADD1).

The Regulation is aimed at ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market as regards the addition of vitamins and minerals and certain other substances to foods whilst providing a high level of consumer protection.

Nutrition and health claims made on foods

The Council adopted, by qualified majority2, a Regulation on nutrition and health claims made on foods, approving all of the amendments passed by the European Parliament at second reading (PE-CONS 3616/5/06, doc. 12224/06 ADD1).

The Regulation is aimed at ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market as regards nutrition and health claims whilst providing a high level of consumer protection.