WRITTEN QUESTION E-1765/02 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Weight loss supplements.
Date: 2002-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: advertising, consumer information, dietary product, food supplement, foodstuff, labelling, nutritional disease, public health

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/243

Does the Commission consider that, by economising on staff costs during the tourist season, hotel
operators are profiting greatly from these funds?

What measures will the Commission take to gauge whether Community funds are being used in an
appropriate manner?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2002)

The integrated operational programme for the Canary Islands includes a measure to develop the tourism
sector. The actions mentioned in the Honourable Members’ written question follow on from the vocational
training measures provided for in order to develop the skills of the workforce in this sector. The
programming documents contain undertakings by the Spanish authorities to ensure compatibility with
Community policies, also with regard to aid for training.

Following the reform of the Structural Funds, and in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, project
management and selection procedures are the responsibility of the Member State. The Commission does
not therefore have any information to support the reservations put forward by the Honourable Members.
It will make the necessary arrangements with the national authorities to ensure that the Community funds
in question are used properly, and the Commission will inform the Honourable Members accordingly.

(2002/C 277 E/268)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1765/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(19 June 2002)

Subject: Weight loss supplements

The availability and use of weight loss supplements has increased considerably in Europe in recent years,
and has generated substantial income for the companies which manufacture them.

The advertisements for these products are often misleading and send out an uninformative message on
dietary matters, through the illusory promises they make concerning slimming timescales and methods.
One should also point out that erroneous dieting often triggers serious psychophysical illnesses such as
anorexia and bulimia.

Can the Commission therefore:

1.

2.

state whether there are any guidelines, studies or research regarding this issue;

indicate whether it intends to take any initiatives in this area to prevent the proliferation of products
whose nature is uncertain and whose effects cannot be scientifically proven;

3.

give its general view on this matter.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2002)

The Commission has not prepared specific guidelines and has not carried out studies or research on

1.
these products.

2.
The Commission is currently drafting a proposal to regulate the use of nutrition, functional and
health claims made on foods in order to ensure that the possible beneficial nutritional or physiological

C 277 E/244

Official Journal of the European Communities

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14.11.2002

effects of foods are scientifically proven and correctly communicated to the consumer. The provisions of
the proposed legislation will apply to all foods, including the products in question provided they are
marketed as foods.

The Commission shares the concerns of the Honourable Member regarding the proliferation of
3.
weight loss supplements and their dubious marketing practices. Current Community legislation on the
labelling, presentation and advertising of foods (Directive 2000/13/EC of the Parliament and of the Council
of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling,
presentation and advertising of foodstuffs (1)) clearly states that the labelling and advertising of foods must
in particular by attributing to the food effects or properties it does not possess.
not be misleading,
However, the responsibility to control the correct application of the provisions laid down in this Directive
lies with the competent authorities of the Member States. Furthermore, the Parliament and Council
Regulation on the General Principles of Food Law (2) states that the food business operators shall ensure
that the foods they place on the market are safe.

(1) OJ L 13, 26.5.2000.
(2) Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general
principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down
procedures in matters of food safety, OJ L 31, 1.2.2002.

(2002/C 277 E/269)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1774/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 June 2002)

Subject: Pump-action rifles

It is sad but true that reports of murders, instances of manslaughter and accidents resulting from the use of
pump-action rifles are now a daily occurrence.

Does not the European Commission take the view that it would be sensible to prohibit pump-action rifles
on the grounds that they are not used by security services, members of amateur shooting clubs or hunters?

Will the Commission indicate it if shares this view, if it is taking independent action and if it is making
representations to the Member States on this issue, and will it give a progress report on developments in
this field?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2002)

Council Directive 91/477/EEC of 18 June 1991 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (1)
in
states that passing from one Member State to another while in possession of a weapon should,
principle, be prohibited and that a derogation therefrom is acceptable only if a procedure is adopted that
enables Member States to be notified that a firearm is to be brought into their country. In addition, the
Directive allows Member States to go as far as to prohibit the possession of firearms not already included
the
in the category of weapons for which possession by private individuals is forbidden. So far,
Commission has no information suggesting that the arrangements introduced by Directive 91/477/EEC do
not provide a satisfactory solution for controlling the acquisition and possession of pump-action rifles.

(1) OJ L 256, 13.9.1991.