The European Court of Justice has rejected British health food industry claims that the proposed Food Supplements Directive, coming into force on 1 August, breaches European Union (EU) rules.

Tuesday's ruling could sweep up to 5,000 products off the shelves, according to The Independent. About 300 nutrients and nutrient sources in Britain will be banned unless they can obtain inclusion on a "positive" list - a move that supplement manufacturers say requires excessive levels of testing and red tape, the newspaper said.

Among the vitamins and supplements facing a ban are boron, important for healthy teeth and bones; sulphur, important for healthy skin; and 1,000mg Vitamin C tablets.

The British government came under pressure to negotiate an opt-out from the directive. Opposition parties attacked the government for failing to defend consumers' interests, saying the decision was a defeat for common sense and an "unwarranted intrusion by the EU into people's lives."

Source: Xinhua