Italy has announced revised maximum levels for three vitamins as it looks to bring legal levels in the country in line with EFSA guidance.
The announcement comes shortly after a recent ruling by the European Courts of Justice, which stated that Member States cannot set individual maximum levels for vitamins and minerals unless they are based on international safety data and risk assessments – such as EFSA opinions.
In line with the mutual recognition principle, the new maximum levels are:
- 50 micrograms for vitamin D (up from 25 micrograms)
- 1000 micrograms for vitamin B12 (up from 33 micrograms)
- 180 micrograms for vitamin K (up from 105 micrograms)
It had previously been suggested that Italy could resist further increases to maximum levels based on mutual recognition – and that higher levels of vitamin D and vitamin B12 in particular could be banned.
Commenting on the new changes, Luca Bucchini managing director of Hylobates Consulting said Italian authorities should be credited for the final decision to increase levels based on EFSA opinions despite local lobby opposition in some areas.
“I think it's good news for the overall debate over vitamins in the EU, and it reinforces the case for EFSA to look at whether Upper Levels need updating so Member States' concerns are allayed,” he said.