A petition signed by over 60,000 people has been put together by the Irish Association of Health Stores (IAHS), which is concerned by proposals being considered by the European Commission.
The Irish Department of Health has recommended that upper levels for minerals and vitamins should be set at no more than their recommended daily allowances (RDAs) across the European bloc.
However, experts point out that RDAs are 40 years out of date and have "absolutely no bearing on safety whatsoever", prompting calls for consumers to be allowed to continue taking high level doses if they wish.
IAHS president Jill Bell commented: "In effect, this would mean that Vitamin C would be available over the counter at doses of no more than 60mg.
"It is outrageous that regulators focus on the supposed risks of food supplements, rather than on their very significant benefits, particularly given the nutrient-deficient diets that are so common nowadays."
A petition signed by over 60,000 people has been put together by the Irish Association of Health Stores (IAHS), which is concerned by proposals being considered by the European Commission.
