Health food retailers claim to have collected hundreds of signatures in protest against plans by the EU to restrict the sale of certain food supplements and vitamins.
The Irish Association of Health Stores (IAHS) said it had used a recent health exhibition at Dublin's RDS to campaign against moves to reduce the strength of food supplements.
Jill Bell, Irish Association of Health Stores
IAHS president Jill Bell said exhibitors at the Dublin event collected hundreds of signatures from consumers protesting about the anticipated setting of very restrictive levels of vitamins and minerals under the EU Food Supplements Directive.
"It is known that over 45 per cent of the Irish population use food supplements on a regular basis to support and maintain their health," she said.
"The IAHS is concerned that a sizeable proportion of these consumers are not aware of this regulation which could see the demise of virtually all useful food supplements over the next two years. It looks very likely that consumers will be denied the right to purchase a simple 1,000mg of vitamin C to guard against the common cold."
"In view of our creaking health service, it seems utter madness to deny people the right to do their utmost to stay well and to avoid dependence on the medical system, but in reality the Food Supplements Directive is going to ensure just that," Ms Bell claimed.
A public meeting on the issue is to take place at the Mont Clare Hotel in Dublin at 7pm on Wednesday September 12 th.
Organised by the Nutritional Therapists of Ireland organisation, it will be addressed by MEP Kathy Sinnott, by a health retailer and a nutritional therapist.