Written Question No. 05660 from
Mme Dominique Estrosi Sassone
(Alpes-Maritimes – The Republicans)
published in the JO Senate of 09/03/2023 – page 1679
Mrs Dominique Estrosi Sassone draws the attention of the Minister of Health and Prevention to the labeling of cholcalcifrol, the main form of vitamin D.
Indeed, in doses adapted to each person, vitamin D has, according to the National Academy of Medicine, many beneficial aspects: on phospho-calcium metabolism and the prevention of bone diseases (rickets and ostomalacia) but also in other conditions such as infections, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancers by inhibiting tumor cells. For all these reasons, she recommended vitamin D supplementation in the French population in a 2012 report, confirmed in 2020.
In October 2022, the National Health Security Agency (Anses) therefore recommended not including vitamin D in the display system for endocrine disruptors since low doses have recognized medical benefits. Several member states of the European Union have also relaxed their legislation and asked for a less strict European standard.
However, in the context of new draft decrees, the Government is maintaining cholcalcifrol on the list of endocrine disruptors, as evidenced by the new specific display for vitamin D planned by the ministers of health and ecological transition: contains cholcalcifrol : this substance has health benefits when its concentration in the product respects the upper safety limits set by the health authorities (refer to the product instructions or the manufacturer’s information). Beyond these limits, the substance exhibits proven or presumed endocrine disrupting properties. If in doubt, seek the advice of a healthcare professional.
If this mention highlights the benefits of vitamin D, it is likely to worry consumers as soon as it will be displayed only on so-called safe products. The products on which the display will be presented are, in fact, authorized on French soil because they comply with the maximum authorized limits and have a dosage considered beneficial for the consumer.
Also in its October 2022 report, ANSES specified that the identification of cholcalcifrol on the labels of food products containing it is likely to provide erroneous information on the risk, insofar as daily intakes of vitamin D associated with food consumption are below the upper safety limit defined for cholcalcifrol and that, moreover, avoiding these products would accentuate the situation of poor coverage of needs which already concerns a large fraction of the population (34.5% of the population had an insufficient vitamin D status in 2015) as recalled by the High Council for Public Health in its report of June 21, 2022 recommending the consumption of foods rich in vitamin D. Potentially, the consumption recommendations associated with the labeling cholcalcifrol in the same way as other avrs endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A, might lead to a reduction in the perception of the risks remove these and thus increase the corresponding public exposure.
She asks him if he intends to modify the draft decrees that have been presented to professionals in the pharmacy and food supplements sector, but also how he intends to guarantee access to vitamin D at all ages of life without the Labeling does not lead to confusion with endocrine disruptors recognized as such by health authorities.
Awaiting response from the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
