Manufacturers of food supplements must comply with legislation and guidelines on general labelling and advertising requirements for food supplements.
CLAIMS
Food supplements are usually labelled with three categories of claims that are used to describe the benefits of consuming a nutrient or dietary ingredient (active ingredient of a food supplement):
- Health claims -describe the relationship between food supplements active ingredients and health (e.g., reduction in risk for a disease or health-related conditions).
According to the EU regulation, there are three types of health claims: function, risk reduction and child development claims.
- Nutrient content claims – describe the content of the active ingredients in the food supplements usually as an accurate quantitative statement (for example: high content of vitamin D3, 100 ug or 4000 IE).
- Structure/function claims – describe the role of the active ingredient in the food supplement intended to affect the normal structure or function of the body.
FOOD SUPPLEMENT PACKAGING
Moreover, each food supplement packaging should display the:
- recommended daily dosage of the food supplement
- warning not to exceed the recommended daily dose
- statement that food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a balanced diet
- statement that the product should be stored out of the reach of young children etc.
The European Commission authorises different health claims based on relevant scientific evidence that consumers can understand. EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) is responsible for evaluating the scientific evidence for the health claims.
When labelling, presenting or advertising food supplements, it is prohibited to claim that the product prevents, treats or cures a disease.
If you need review and preparation of product composition and labelling for your food supplements in accordance with the legislation and product specification Contact us.