Dietary supplement inquiry a victory for consumers

Green Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley said the decision by that the Health Select Committee today to hold an inquiry into proposals to regulate dietary supplements with a Trans-Tasman body was a victory for consumers and for common sense.

"There has been huge resistance from consumers and from providers to handing over our control of this important and growing industry to a heavily regulated, predominantly Australian body," said Ms Kedgley.

"More than 30,000 New Zealanders signed my petition calling on the government to abandon its plans to regulate dietary supplements through an Australian-dominated Trans-Tasman agency.

"The Select committee inquiry offers us the chance to explore whether there is a problem with the regulations governing dietary supplements that needs to be fixed, and if there is, how we can fix any problems through a simple, cost effective, New Zealand regulatory regime."

Ms Kedgley said although the terms of reference for the inquiry had yet to be set it was crucial that all parties with an interest in the issue made submissions to the committee.

"The fact that there will be an inquiry into this issue is recognition at the high level of public concern about the proposed changes. An inquiry is just what is needed to give this issue a thorough and public airing."

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