Makers and users of food supplements were jubilant yesterday when the advocate general at the European court of justice advised that EU restrictions due to take effect this summer were "seriously deficient".

Leendert Geelhoed's recommendation that the court should rule the EU's new list of approved supplements invalid is likely to be adopted by the judges, although they are not obliged to do so.

Campaigners had said that more than 5,000 products containing vitamins and minerals would be banned on scant scientific evidence.

Mr Geelhoed said the rules broke basic principles of EU law. The directive was not clear on the procedures needed to add new products.

Campaigners hope the EU will now be compelled to devise new procedures before ingredients can be banned.