Hansard

Item 3 on our agenda is consideration of a draft statutory instrument, which requires approval by resolution of the Parliament before it can become law. The purpose of this Scottish statutory instrument is to allow the mineral substance magnesium L-threonate monohydrate, which is a novel food that is concurrently authorised in Scotland by the Scottish ministers under regulation EU 2015/2283, to be used in the manufacture of food supplements. The SSI also sets out the purity criteria for the mineral substance. The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered the instrument at its meeting on 20 January 2026 and made no recommendations in relation to it.We will take evidence from the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health and supporting officials. Once we have had any questions answered, we will proceed to a formal debate on the motion. I welcome to the committee Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health; Ian Vickerstaff, solicitor, food, health and social care division, Scottish Government; and Stephen Hendry, head of labelling and standards, Food Standards Scotland. I invite the minister to make a brief opening statement.