Last week, I wrote about the regulation of those promoting food supplements. I was less than impressed with the lack of action taken by Trading Standards and the MHRA.

I contacted each organisation once more to follow up on my original correspondence. Yet again, Trading Standards have failed to respond - even to acknowledge receipt of my email.

The MHRA, on the other hand, have not only responded promptly to my follow-up email, but have also said this:

Thank you for your message. I can confirm we shall be investigating this complaint and taking any appropriate action.

The MHRA took just one day to respond to my email, and have confirmed that they are at least investigating the complaint and action will be taken, should they deem it appropriate. Trading Standards, meanwhile, are yet to respond to me - having had a week in which to do so. In the four months since I originally contacted them, I haven't had any kind of response whatsoever from Trading Standards.

Here is the email I sent to North Yorkshire County Council:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to you with regard to a company based in Skipton and my correspondence with North Yorkshire Trading Standards regarding this company.

I contacted North Yorkshire Trading Standards in July regarding possible breaches of consumer protection and health and nutrition claims regulations and did not receive a response. I followed up on this 7 days ago, having noted that the website that may breach said regulations remains unaltered. I am yet to receive any kind of response either to the original contact made in July, or to my follow-up email (sent a week ago).

Given that North Yorkshire Trading Standards have failed to respond to my emails, neither to inform me of what action (if any) would be taken nor even to acknowledge that they are in receipt of my emails, I thought the best course of action would be to contact North Yorkshire County Council itself and ask for guidance on this matter.

The company in question is Principle Healthcare Limited, and the address on their website is recorded as being in "Skipton, North Yorkshire" - http://www.principlehealthcare.com/about_us.cfm

Yours faithfully,
James Cole.

I have at least received an automated acknowledgement from North Yorkshire County Council, which is better than North Yorkshire Trading Standards managed.