Food supplements
Food supplements are currently regulated in the UK under the EC Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC, which has applied since 2005.
This is implemented in national law by the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, as amended; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have separate national legislation relevant to their own administrations. Food supplements fall under the definition of 'food' under general food law. In addition to legislation which regulates food supplements specifically, food supplements must also comply with any other food law applicable to the product concerned, including general food labelling requirements.
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The Food Supplements Directive
The Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC came into force in July 2002 and was implemented in England by the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003. Separate, equivalent legislation has been made in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The directive and the UK regulations have applied in full since 1 August 2005.
Consumer information
The FSA acknowledges that individuals may wish to supplement their diet with additional nutrients.
Marketing food supplements
Food supplements fall under the definition of 'food' under general food law. In addition to legislation which regulates food supplements specifically, food supplements must also comply with any other food law applicable to the product concerned, including general food labelling requirements.
Vitamins and minerals that may be used in food supplements
The Directive includes lists of vitamins and minerals, and their chemical forms, that are permitted for use in food supplements in Annex I and Annex II.
Setting maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements
The Food Supplements Directive requires that maximum daily dose levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements are set, on the basis of scientific evidence and safety.
The use of substances other than vitamins and minerals
The Food Supplements Directive directly regulates only vitamins and mineral sources and the safety and labelling of food supplements; food supplements that are not a source of vitamins or minerals are not directly subject to the legislation, other than in generic areas such as labelling and purity criteria.
Codex Alimentarius
There has been some confusion in respect of the position and influence of Codex Alimentarius on food supplements, which may have come about due to a misunderstanding about the differences between the European Food Supplements Directive and Codex Alimentarius.
Contacts
Food Standards Agency contacts for enquires regarding food supplements.