Vitabiotics Case Study

Client Profile and Issue

Vitabiotics have been working with The Whitehouse Consultancy over threatening EU legislation on nutrition and health claims made on foods. The company manufactures innovative healthcare products to a global market with well known brands including ‘Wellman’, ‘Wellwoman’ and ‘Osteocare’.

The proposed EU regulation on nutrition and health claims, presented by the European Commission in 2003, proposed setting up a system of prior authorisation for all nutrition and health claims across the EU. This burdensome regulation, which would also have prohibited general well-being claims, would have threatened many existing products and caused significant delay to bringing new products to market.

Our Strategy

With the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers split over this proposal though needing to reach agreement is was important that MEPs, who were critical of the regulation, were convinced of the need to amend the dossier and the Council of Ministers, broadly in favour, were persuaded to change their view.

The Whitehouse Consultancy worked with Vitabiotics to ensure that the company was seen by MEPs and by member state officials as trusted partners throughout negotiations. By working with MEPs as they drafted particular amendments we were able to help ensure that such amendments addressed key concerns and defended the company’s interests.

As the legislation progressed we also worked closely with supportive UK Parliamentarians, holding a briefing in the House of Lords, planting Parliamentary Questions and encouraging them to make representations to the Secretary of State and EU Commissioners.

Outcome

The legislation was significantly improved. Vitabiotics is now working closely with the UK government and its regulatory agencies in relation to the interpretation and implementation of the legislation, and has significantly boosted its profile during the process.