Proposed vitamin B6 limit could be cut to 14 mg
14 Sep 2026
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has proposed lowering the upper level for vitamin B6 to 14 mg per day, down from the current 50 mg per day. The proposal is now open for public consultation until 30 September.
The NHMRC says the proposed revision reflects updated international guidance and ongoing concerns about peripheral neuropathy associated with high intakes of vitamin B6 from supplements.
If adopted, the change would bring Australia closer to the European Union, which introduced an upper tolerable intake level of 12 mg per day for vitamin B6 in 2023.
The proposed update is part of the first review of Australia’s vitamin B6 Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) in around 20 years.
Although the NHMRC’s recommendations are not regulatory requirements, they could influence future decisions by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
The TGA has already introduced stronger safety measures for products containing vitamin B6. Products with a recommended daily dose of 50–200 mg are set to become pharmacist-only medicines from June 2027, following concerns about reports of neuropathy linked to vitamin B6-containing products.
The regulator has also indicated that the appropriateness of these limits may be reviewed if the NHMRC changes the recommended upper intake level.
The NHMRC said vitamin B6 deficiency is uncommon, and the proposed review would not change the recommended daily intake levels. These requirements vary by age and sex but are generally much lower than the proposed 14 mg upper level.
The upper level refers to the highest usual intake of a nutrient that is considered unlikely to cause adverse health effects in almost all people in the general population.
GP and dietitian Dr Terri-Lynne South welcomed the proposed reduction, saying concerns about excessive vitamin B6 intake remain despite previous efforts to improve safety.
She noted that the proposed 14 mg limit may appear to be a substantial drop from 50 mg, but it remains well above the amount generally required to prevent deficiency.
Concerns have also been raised about the continued sale of high-dose vitamin B6 products. A University of Sydney study published in July found that more than three million products providing a daily dose above 50 mg were sold between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2025, based on pharmacy sales data.
The researchers concluded that existing warnings and public health alerts had made little difference to sales, leaving an ongoing risk of harm from excessive vitamin B6 intake.
Following consultation, the NHMRC is expected to finalise its decision on the proposed changes in early 2027.
Proposed vitamin B6 limit could be cut to 14 mg
Source: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC); Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA); RACGP newsGP