Regulation in food supplements
The population is increasingly interested in natural solutions, which explains the strong growth of the dietary supplements market. To improve consumer understanding and enforce quality standards, regulations have been strengthened.
Since 2002, Directive 2002/46/EC defines the framework for food supplements. These are foodstuffs intended to complement a normal diet. They provide concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with nutritional or physiological effects, delivered in measured doses.
REGULATORY TEXTS
For over 20 years, regulatory texts have been established to harmonize the national and European food supplement markets. Key measures include:
The Plant Decree (June 24, 2014):
This decree lists over 540 plants authorized for use in food supplements in France. It ensures the quality of preparations by requiring a safety assessment across the entire production chain.
Claims Regulation (EC No. 432/2012):
This regulation lists authorized generic function claims. Synadiet plans to implement a gradual classification of pending plant claims, allowing the use of claims supported by scientific evidence.
European Nutrivigilance System (2009):
A health monitoring system that records adverse effects from food supplements, as reported by healthcare professionals.
LABELING OF FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
The person responsible for placing a product on the market is required to use compliant labeling in accordance with regulations (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011).
The labeling rules for food supplements are the same of foodstuffs’s common, to which are addes certain particularities. There should be no statement suggesting that a balanced and varied diet is not an adequate source of nutrients in general, nor should food supplements claim the prevention or treatment of disease.
PLACING ON THE MARKET
DGCCRF filing
Before being placed on the market, food supplements must be notified according to the decree 2006-352 which imposes: specific labelling, positive lists of plants and other substances that can be used in food supplements and the Maximum Daily Doses for nutrients.
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