BILL BRINGS COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO MARKETING OF HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS

The Food (Health Supplements) Amendment Bill, which will bring health supplements under the framework of food regulation, was today submitted to the Member’s Bill ballot by New Zealand First List MP Mark Patterson.

It replaces the Natural Health and Supplementary Products Bill which lapsed when Parliament was dissolved at election time last year.

The new Bill simplifies the regulatory process in bringing a product to the market, while also requiring suppliers to be able to substantiate any health claims.

Health supplements include herbal remedies, traditional medicines, homeopathic remedies and dietary supplements, as well as their synthetic equivalents. The natural products industry contributes an estimated $1.4 billion per annum to our economy, with exports valued at $285 million per annum.

“It is a balanced and common sense piece of legislation which introduces a reasonable but not overwhelming burden of compliance for suppliers, and greater transparency for consumers,” Mr Patterson says.

“New Zealanders must have confidence they are making well-informed decisions about the supplements they are buying.

“New Zealand First wants to support this fast-growing industry, particularly for the added-value export opportunity that it provides for New Zealand.

“This Bill will only strengthen and enhance its future,” Mr Patterson says.

ENDS

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