Protect Your Right to Choose Supplements: Why We Are Supporting the Save Our Supplements Campaign
For more than 30 years, Evergreen has helped customers take control of their health through nutrition, lifestyle choices, and high-quality supplements. Today, that freedom of choice could be at risk.
The European Union is currently considering proposals that could lead to new maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements sold across Europe. While the details have not yet been finalised, many in the health food and natural products sector are concerned that the proposed approach could significantly restrict the strength and availability of many popular supplements.
That's why we are supporting the Save Our Supplements Ireland campaign and encouraging our customers to learn more and make their voices heard.
What is happening?
The EU Food Supplements Directive (Directive 2002/46/EC) has, since 2002, contained provisions allowing the European Commission to establish maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in supplements.
For more than two decades, these limits have not been harmonised across the EU. However, work is now underway to develop a framework that could introduce EU-wide maximum levels for many nutrients.
The stated aim is consumer safety and consistency across member states. However, many health food retailers, practitioners, manufacturers and consumers are concerned that some of the approaches being considered could result in maximum levels being set far lower than those currently available.
Why does this matter?
Many of the supplements our customers rely on every day are available in strengths that go beyond basic nutritional maintenance.
Products containing nutrients such as:
could potentially be affected by future restrictions.
If maximum levels are set too low, manufacturers may be forced to reformulate products, reduce nutrient strengths, or discontinue certain products altogether.
This could mean:
- Less choice for consumers
- Reduced access to higher-strength supplements
- More tablets or capsules required to achieve the same intake
- Fewer options for people following practitioner recommendations
What are campaigners concerned about?
Supporters of the Save Our Supplements campaign believe that any future limits should be based on sound science, real-world safety data, and consumer choice.
They argue that:
- Millions of people use supplements safely every day.
- Consumers should continue to have access to a wide range of supplement strengths.
- Responsible adults should be able to choose products that meet their individual needs.
- Future regulations should not unnecessarily restrict access to supplements with long histories of safe use.
Isn't this about safety?
Consumer safety is important and should always come first.
The concern is not about having standards or regulations. The supplements industry is already heavily regulated, with strict requirements covering manufacturing, labelling, ingredient safety and health claims.
The debate is about where future maximum levels should be set and whether they will allow consumers to continue accessing the products they currently use.
Why Access Matters
At Evergreen, we meet customers every day who are actively taking steps to support their health and wellbeing. Some are looking for nutritional support during pregnancy, others are managing the challenges of menopause, supporting bone health as they age, maintaining energy levels, or simply trying to live healthier lives.
While supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, they can play an important role in helping people meet their nutritional needs and support their personal health goals.
We believe consumers should have access to a wide range of safe, high-quality supplements and the freedom to choose the products that best meet their individual needs. Health is not one-size-fits-all. What works for one person may not work for another, and many customers value having access to different strengths, formats and options.
Over the years, we have seen first-hand how important these products are to our customers. Whether it's a magnesium supplement that helps support an active lifestyle, a vitamin D supplement during the winter months, or a pregnancy formula recommended by a healthcare professional, access and choice matter.
That's why we believe any future regulation should strike the right balance between consumer safety and consumer choice, ensuring people can continue to access the supplements they trust as part of their overall approach to health and wellbeing.
We are concerned that overly restrictive limits could reduce the choice currently available to Irish consumers and make it harder for people to find products that meet their individual needs.
How can you help?
If you value having access to a wide range of vitamins and supplements, we encourage you to learn more about the proposals and support the Save Our Supplements Ireland campaign. You can visit their website by clicking this link.
By signing the petition, you can help demonstrate that consumers care about maintaining access to the supplements they choose as part of their health and wellbeing routine.
Every voice matters.
Together, we can help protect informed consumer choice and ensure that future regulations strike the right balance between safety, access and personal responsibility.
Sign the Petition Today
Join thousands of consumers, retailers and health advocates who are calling for a balanced, science-led approach to supplement regulation. Sign the petition by clicking this link.
Learn more and sign the petition through the Save Our Supplements Ireland campaign.
