Belgium To Ban Fluoride Supplements

Belgium To Ban Fluoride Supplements

BRUSSELS, Belgium--According to a July 30 story appearing onthe BBC Web site (http://news.bbc.co.uk),Belgium has banned tablets and chewing gum that contain fluoride. The countryreports that these products may increase the risk of brittle bone disease, andin light of a recent study commissioned by the government, the supplements mayalso increase the risk of osteoporosis and damage to the nervous system. Aspokesperson from the Belgian Ministry of Health (www.health.fgov.be)told BBC that there are no plans to ban fluoride-containing toothpaste.

In an interview with Belgian magazine HUMO (www.humo.be),Health Minister Magda Aelvoet reported the High Committee on Health advisedAelvoet to prohibit fluoride supplements based on scientific data.

"We're going to tell our decision officially to the other Europeanmembers [of the European Union] in the hopes that they will follow usquickly,"Aelvoet stated. "My administration will ask manufacturers tomake toothpaste fluoride-free, but we cannot force them to do this. The problemis that toothpaste doesn't fall under food laws but is regulated under thecosmetics act, which is regulated by [the EU]." Aelvoet added thatpharmacists in Belgium are allowed to continue to sell fluoride supplementsuntil their current stocks run out.