A consumer health rights group claims that a discussion paper on natural health products could diminish consumer choice and lead to higher prices.
The Ministry of Health is seeking public input in order to develop a Natural Health Products Bill that, if it became law, would regulate the market. The deadline is 17 May.
The ministry is asking which ingredients should or should not be prohibited, and whether labelling requirements, advertising rules and a code of practice should exist.
The Health Freedom New Zealand group says however that any product shown to have therapeutic benefit could be in jeopardy, because prescriptions would be required.
It says this would include vitamin C, fish oils, glucosamine and selenium.
