What are the regulations for food supplements?
• The only ingredients food supplements may contain are single or multiple nutrient (vitamins and minerals) concentrates or other substances that are not vitamins or minerals, but have a physiological effect. • The types of vitamin and mineral combinations that are permitted in food supplements are regulated throughout the entire EU by the Directive2002/46/EC on the Approximation of the Laws of the Member States Relating to Food Supplements. • Maximum amounts of vitamins and minerals in food supplements, as well as the addition of substances that are neither vitamins nor minerals, are still regulated on a national basis. A list (PDF file) of these can be found at the bottom of the following site http://www.apotheker.or.at/internet/OEAK/NewsPresse_1_0_0a.nsf/agentEmergency!OpenAgent&p=C6B3051E2CC8CE0CC1256E58002CE405&fsn=fsStartHomeFachinfo&iif=0. • There is no restriction as to who can distribute food supplements (retailers include pharmacies, drug stores, and also supermarkets). • § A
