2016 will be a year of further “quiet threats” to the health food trade but one potentially of real opportunity too, said the Labour MP and long-term industry supporter, Kate Hoey, yesterday.

Hoey was addressing guests at Consumer for Health Choice’s, annual parliamentary reception at the House of Commons. She said: “We must continue to raise awareness of the threat to consumer choice and the livelihood of the health food sector about any plan to introduce low maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals which, as we know, would only benefit the multinationals who produce low strength supplements. 2015 has been a year of quiet threats – and those threats will continue into 2016. But the shift in mood at the European Commission towards reducing the weight of regulation on small businesses bodes well for CHC’s campaign.”

CHC chair, Michael Peet, agreed that the biggest threat to the UK industry, and consumer choice, still lay with attempts to set low MPLs – which would effectively ban higher strength products. “The fact that there has been so little progress with this can be counted as a success for CHC, and testament to its constant behind the scenes pressure. And be assured, we will be as vocal as ever.

“But it could be that for the first time we will be working with, rather than against, the Commission, which has taken on board the weariness towards constant regulatory pressure. Perhaps, just perhaps, we may see in 2016 the Commission taking positive action towards deregulation.

“Perhaps, just perhaps, we may see in 2016 the Commission taking positive action towards deregulation”

The Conservative MP, Pauline Latham, echoed Peet’s comments, adding: “I am pleased to say that the UK Government mirrors the Commission’s view that excessive regulation harms small and medium sized businesses. I hope that CHC’s important work in 2016 may help move us very close to reaching a positive resolution on the issue of maximum permitted levels once and for all.”

However, she said that while the change of emphasis at the European Commission was welcome, it was still important that “the consumer’s voice is heard loud and clear and that CHC continues its tremendous work”.