Food Law Enforcement Practitioners Forum, 23rd & 24th June 2003 Report on safe upper limits for vitamins and minerals

Summary Report of Expert Group on vitamins and minerals Evidence assessed Main findings Further Action

Expert group Independent Over four years work Only consider vitamin and minerals which were foods Safe Upper limits were issued for 8 vitamins and minerals and guidance was issued for 22.

Data Considered Human data Animal data Carcinogenicity and genotoxicity data In vitro data Exposure data Survey data

Findings Current levels of most V & Ms not harmful One substance may have the potential to cause cancer 6 may cause irreversible effects 3 may have short term effects

Chromium picolinate May be carcinogenic Shown to cause damage to DNA in mammalian cells in vitro FSA consulting on a ban 10mg/day of chromium in other forms not thought to be harmful

Short term effects Vitamin C above 1000mg /day could cause diarrhoea Calcium above 1500mg/day and iron above 17mg/day may cause similar symptoms. These symptoms stop when the consumption stops

Irreversible harmful effects Beta-carotene Nicotinic acid Zinc Manganese Phosphorus

Advice Re-emphasised Vitamin B6 No more than 10mg/day from supplements High intakes over prolonged periods can lead to loss of feeling in legs and arms

Other Vitamins and Minerals considered Biotin Folic Acid Pantothenic acid Riboflavin Niacin Thiamin Vitamin B12 Vitamin K Boron Cobalt Copper Iodine Molybdenum Nickel

Other Vitamins and Mineral Considered Magnesium Silicon Vitamin D Vitamin E Potassium Selenium Tin

Action Voluntary Industry Measures National Measures Community Measures