A Waterford TD has called on the government to reverse its decision to impose VAT on food supplements.

The tax on vitamins and minerals is set to go from zero to 23% on March 1st.

These produces have been exempt since 1972.

Fianna Fail’s Mary Butler raised the matter in the Dáil:

“The proposed VAT increase on health food supplements is difficult for many who continue to do their best to look after their health. I refer to calcium and magnesium tablets and Eskimo fish oil for joints. The list is endless. Older people whose eyesight is affected by macular degeneration, for example, take a product called MacuShield, which is not available on the medical card and costs €25 for a month’s supply. The increase in VAT will give rise to a €5.75 increase in price. It seems that there is not much support from the Government for those who wish to look after their health.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was outside of his control:

“Decisions on the VAT rate are made by Revenue, they are not the responsibility of Government. We need to make a distinction between food supplements in respect of which health claims that are backed up by science are made and those that are backed up by pseudoscience. This is an issue we will be discussing a great deal more.”