ANH Europe warns that limits on vitamins and minerals that are too low could make it more difficult to combat widespread micronutrient deficiencies. AMSTERDAM, April 2, 2026 — As pressure increases on the European Commission to finally introduce harmonized maximum levels of vitamins and minerals in supplements […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
AMSTERDAM, 2 April 2026 — As pressure grows on the European Commission to finally introduce harmonised maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements, Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) Europe is warning that badly designed rules could turn a safety exercise into a public health mistake.
The issue has been unresolved since the adoption of the Food Supplements Directive in 2002. But in December 2025, Germany—supported by a large group of Member States—urged the Commission to complete the process as a priority, with a view to setting maximum levels in 2026.
ANH Europe says the central question is not whether safety matters—it does—but whether regulators will adopt an excessively restrictive model that focuses narrowly on preventing high intake while failing to account for the very real health burden of low intake.
Across Europe, micronutrient insufficiency remains common. Vitamin D inadequacy is widespread, especially during winter months and in vulnerable groups. Iron deficiency remains a significant issue among women of reproductive age. Europe has also failed to adopt mandatory folic acid fortification, unlike some other jurisdictions that have seen major reductions in neural tube defects. Vitamin B12 deficiency, particularly among older adults and those following plant-based diets, remains another ongoing concern.
“Public health policy must protect people from both excess and inadequacy,” said Marga Verspagen, counsel and administrator for ANH Europe. “If maximum limits are set too low, they may restrict access to supplement levels that many people rely on to maintain or recover nutritional sufficiency. That would not be proportionate regulation—it would be regulatory harm.”
ANH Europe stresses that EU law already requires a broader approach than simply using upper safe levels as rigid caps. Under Article 5 of Directive 2002/46/EC, maximum amounts must take account of safe upper levels, intake from other dietary sources, and reference intakes for the population. In other words, the legal framework is intended to protect health in the round—not merely to avoid overdose.
The organisation is calling for a proportionate, science-based approach that reflects real-world nutritional need. This should include risk management that considers deficiency prevalence and public health impact, transparent pathways for higher-dose products where justified, and stronger nutrivigilance systems to ensure policy reflects actual outcomes rather than theoretical concerns alone.
As the EU moves closer to action, it must avoid the trap of regulating vitamins as if the only risk were excess,” added Nick van Ruiten, Director of ANH Europe. “The greater danger may be to make common deficiencies even harder to address.
Speaking to reporters outside the Security Council in New York, the UN chief painted a grim picture of the rapidly deteriorating situation, as Israel and the United States continue to bomb Iran while Tehran carries out attacks on neighboring Gulf states and threatens ships it […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Kazakhstan has taken an important step toward strengthening its capacity to operate effectively in a complex and rapidly changing domestic and international environment. In mid-March, citizens of Central Asia’s largest country voted in favor of a new constitution. 87% of voters voted for the main state document, […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
© Contributor Bomb damage in eastern Tehran, where Israeli and US strikes began on February 28, sparked a regional war that spread to Lebanon, with growing global economic consequences for developing and industrialized countries. Source: news.un.org
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Polar bear encounters with humans are a regular concern for scientists and communities near polar bear habitats, but
The High Representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov – a former senior UN official in the region – was speaking at a meeting on the implementation of Council Resolution 2334 (2016) which demands that Israel immediately cease all settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory. It was held approximately four months after […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
International Gathering in Clearwater Highlights Restored La Estrella Site in the Canary Islands, Launches Scientology Books and Illustrated Courses for Younger Generations
KINGNEWSWIRE // PRESS RELEASE // BRUSSELS, Belgium — April 2, 2026 — The celebration of the birthday of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientologyin 2026 brought together more than 5,000 Scientologists from 74 countries at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida, on March 14. The event combined historic milestones, organizational growth and a special focus on passing on the principles of Scientology to the next generation. Among the main announcements was the presentation of a Recently restored L. Ron Hubbard historic site in La Estrella, Telde, Canary Islandsas well as the release of new illustrated Scientology children’s books and related courses, now available in 25 languages.
For Europe, the presentation of the restored villa in La Estrella was of particular importance. The property, perched above the Atlantic in Telde on the island of Gran Canaria, occupies a special place in Scientology history. It was there in 1967 that L. Ron Hubbard advanced the work on higher spiritual levels and announced the creation of the Sea Organizationthe religious order of the Church formed that same year to assist in advanced research operations and oversee Church organizations around the world.
The restored La Estrella property has been featured as the tenth L. Ron Hubbard historic site in the world. The villa has been restored to reflect its appearance during Hubbard’s stay, preserving the atmosphere and physical setting of that era. Objects associated with the site include the Aiwa recorder used to Ron’s Journal 1967the British Mark V E-Meter linked to Hubbard’s research into advanced spiritual levels, a 16mm camera and communications equipment used during his work from the Atlantic site. The site expands the international network of places linked to the development of the foundations of Dianetics and Scientology.
La Estrella’s presentation added a strong European dimension to an event that also reviewed broader developments within the international Scientology network. The evening highlighted new leadership teams joining churches in North America, Europe and Australia after advanced training, with Padua, in northern Italy, among the locations specifically highlighted. The program also honored the recently opened Ideal Church in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as part of the continued expansion long associated with commemorations of L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday.
The second major development of the evening focused on children’s education. Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, introduced a new collection of illustrated Scientology books, designed to present the fundamentals of the religion in an accessible way for young readers and families. This new collection includes two series of 10 volumes: one intended for children aged seven and over and the other for more advanced readers. The 20 books, along with corresponding courses, are now available in 25 languages, forming a global curriculum for the next generation.
This educational initiative was presented not as a side project, but as a structural development within the Churches of Scientology. Dedicated children’s classrooms have now been established in all 79 Ideal Churches around the world, providing spaces specifically designed for young Scientologists. This announcement gave the evening a particularly intergenerational character, associating the preservation of heritage with the transmission of beliefs, values and study materials to children, adolescents and all others, in a format adapted to their age.
The celebration also highlighted the broader legacy of L. Ron Hubbard as an author, educator and founder, whose work extended beyond theology to encompass ethical and social programs. The event highlighted his recognition in January 2026 by the Independent Book Publishers Association as a “Master of All Genres” and highlighted the continuing scope of initiatives inspired by his writing, including study methods, substance abuse prevention and The Path to Happinesswhose circulation has exceeded, according to figures announced during the celebration, 145 million copies worldwide.
Founded in 1952, Scientology has long celebrated L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday as a time to review progress, new projects and milestones in the religion’s development. This year’s celebration stood out by combining two themes that resonate particularly in Europe: historic preservation and responsibility towards future generations. In this sense, the restored site in the Canary Islands and the new educational materials for children constituted two parts of the same message: a continuity anchored in heritage and perpetuated by learning.
Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the EU, OSCE, Council of Europe and UN, said the 2026 celebration reflected the connection between European cultural heritage and the responsibility to responsibly transmit values to younger generations. “The presentation of the restored historic site of La Estrella in the Canary Islands is of importance not only for Scientologists, but also in a broader European sense, and even for the people of the Canary Islands and specifically Telde, because it shows the importance of preserving the places where ideas, decisions and history took shape,” said Mr. Arjona. “At the same time, making the fundamental principles understandable to children in many languages reflects an enduring civic value in Europe: that a tradition remains alive when it can be studied, understood and passed on to the next generation. »
The celebration of the 2026 anniversary therefore took place not only as a commemorative event, but also as an affirmation of continuity. With a recently restored iconic site in Spain, a visible European footprint in the program and a major educational initiative aimed at younger generations in numerous languages, the event presented the past, present and future of Scientology as part of a cohesive narrative.
The Church of Scientology, its churches, missions, groups and members are present throughout the European continent. Scientology Europe reports a continent-wide presence through more than 140 churches, missions and affiliated groups in at least 27 European countries, alongside thousands of community-based social improvement and reform initiatives focused on education, prevention and neighborhood-level support, inspired by the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Within Europe’s various national religious frameworks, recognition of the Church continues to expand, with administrative and judicial authorities in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Slovakia and other countries, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, having reviewed and recognized that Scientology communities are protected by national and international provisions relating to freedom of religion or belief.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
International Gathering in Clearwater Spotlights Restored La Estrella Site in the Canary Islands and Launches Illustrated Scientology Books and Courses for Younger Generations KINGNEWSWIRE // PRESS RELEASE // BRUSSELS, Belgium — April 2, 2026 — 2026 Celebration of Founder’s Birthday […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
International Gathering in Clearwater Spotlights Restored La Estrella Site in the Canary Islands and Launches Illustrated Scientology Books and Courses for Younger Generations KINGNEWSWIRE // PRESS RELEASE // BRUSSELS, Belgium — April 2, 2026 — 2026 Celebration of Founder’s Birthday […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
