Clare health store owners are warning that newly proposed EU rules on supplements could cause widespread closures within the industry.
The European Union is currently moving to standardise and reduce the maximum permitted dose of minerals and vitamins available to consumers across the 27 member states.
The bloc says the move is necessary to prevent consumers from health risks such as excessive intake causing toxic side effects.
However health stores argue it will remove customer choice, remove vital supplements needed to fill gaps in the Irish diet and potentially create a blackmarket with dangerous consequences , while reducing footfall and ultimately closing businesses.
It's sparked a nationwide Save Our Supplements movement, which has already gained 28,000 petition signatures online and at least a further 1,200 across stores in Ennis.
Clare FM's Daragh Dolan has been speaking with Owner and Manager of the Ennis Health Store Sinead McNamara and Owner and Nutritional Therapist at the Health Connection in Ennis Olivia Cahalane
Photo (c) Clare FM