Hansard

I am pleased to join you this morning to consider the draft Food Supplements (Magnesium L-threonate monohydrate) (Scotland) Regulations 2026.As the committee will be aware, food safety, standards and labelling are areas on which I am advised by Food Standards Scotland. Magnesium L-threonate monohydrate, as a novel form of magnesium, may be used to make food supplements only following approval under the novel food regime along with the approval of an SSI under the food supplements regime. Magnesium L-threonate monohydrate has been approved as a novel form of magnesium for use in food supplements in Scotland and, in the wider context, across Great Britain, having received a positive safety assessment by the food safety authorities.The ministerial determination that approves the substance as a novel food was made on 7 January and will come into force at the same time as the draft regulations that the committee is considering today. The draft regulations will allow the substance to be used to make food supplements for sale to consumers in Scotland as intended, by amending the list of permitted mineral substances that is set out in schedule 2 to the Nutrition (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. The draft regulations will also set the purity criteria for the mineral substance, as required by the Food Supplements (Scotland) Regulations 2003 and in accordance with the novel food safety assessment specification.I stress that the amendments are technical in nature and do not amount to a change in policy. They are necessary to ensure that this form of magnesium can be used in the manufacture of food supplements as intended. This is a business facilitative measure, and there is no negative impact on businesses or any other stakeholder group. In alignment with Scotland, comparable regulations have been laid in Wales and are expected to be laid in England in summer 2026.I ask the committee to support the draft regulations. I am happy to take any questions.