Chris Whitehouse, whose agency provides advice to the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance and the HFMA, says that by specifying that creatine monohydrate may in future be used in foods for particular nutritional purposes, including sports nutrition products, the Commission would, possibly unintentionally, be imposing a ban on the use of all other forms of the nutrient.
"This will affect a number of products which have been on the market for several years using such ingredients as creatine citrate, and may greatly limit future product innovation and development in the sector," he said.
The proposed changes to European legislation include adding a number of ingredients to the lists of nutrients permitted for 'foods with particular nutritional uses', known as PARNUTS.
Nutrients like calcium L-methfolate, boric acid and boric sulphate would be added directly to categories of vitamins and minerals but a new category of creatine ingredients may also be created.
As it currently lists only creatine monohydrate this threatens to ban alternative sources that are legal in the UK and some other member states, believes Whitehouse.
The proposals may be considered by the Commission at a meeting in December so urgent action is necessary if the ban is to be avoided.
