The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) met with MPs recently to emphasise the vital contribution of supplementation in maintaining good health – and to stress the need for a regulatory framework that “supports, not hampers” responsible UK supplements manufacturers. 

Following an HFMA-hosted breakfast briefing with MPs at the House of Commons, HFMA Director General, Martin Last, said: “Meeting with the MPs is the perfect opportunity to take our message direct to them. Presenting the Health of the Nation survey illustrates to them the importance of supplements in the daily regime of the population. This along with the NHS recommending supplements and the fact that science supports the use of them, means the regulatory framework should support and not hamper the responsible UK manufacturers.” 

The HFMA says the breakfast meeting “allowed for frank and honest discussion, making the MPs aware of the importance of supporting the responsible manufacturers and the fact they should not have to pay the price of further regulation to rein in the rogue traders who choose to ignore the requirements”. 

Prevention is a central plank of the 10 year plan laid out for the NHS and the HFMA believes that supplementation should play a key part in that plan. It argues that the current regulatory framework gets in the way of the “message reaching consumers in way they understand” and that it is time that the matter was given closer political attention. 

“I would like to encourage all areas of the industry to contact and actively engage with their local MP and make our industry’s voice heard”

Martin Last continues: “Following the positive engagement we have had with MPs we are encouraged that they are taking our message seriously. I would like to encourage all areas of the industry to contact and actively engage with their local MP and make our industry’s voice heard.”