A PETITION to stop the European Union banning the sale of many popular supplements and natural herbal remedies has been handed over to Basingstoke MP Andrew Hunter.

Nearly 200 customers of Vitality Healthfoods, in Wote Street, Basingstoke, signed the petition, which is asking for action to stop the EU from bringing in directives that restrict choice in the selection of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements.

The petition is part of a nationwide campaign by independent health stores, which has raised about one million signatures.

Denise Williams, the manager of Vitality, said: "This threat to the range of choice for consumers is totally unjustified. The safety record of the supplements we sell is without blemish, unlike so many more widely-used drugs.

"I hope that Mr Hunter, who has shown a great interest in this issue, will help safeguard the herbal supplements that have proved to be helpful to our customers for so many years."

Hugh Gross, owner of Vitality, added: "This threat to the survival of businesses such as Vitality, which now employs seven people, is so unnecessary.

"Hundreds of our customers have been taking full-strength supplements for years with no side effects, and now Brussels comes along trying to restrict consumer choice in the name of 'conformity'."

The European Parliament was due to vote on proposals to ban the sale of many herbal products yesterday.