A food supplement is defined as 'any food the purpose of which is to supplement the normal diet and which is a concentrated source of a vitamin or mineral or other substance with a nutritional or physiological effect, alone or in combination and is sold in dose form'.
Making Food Supplements available on the UK market.
Food supplements are regulated in the United Kingdom by the guidelines of the Food Standards Agency and the specific regulations of Northern Ireland and Wales.
These regulations establish the general conditions of composition, ingredients, and labelling that these products must comply with. In addition, as a food product, must be compliant with the general in force food UK regulations.
The registration process is carried out through a national Food Business Operator (FOB), who will have the documentation that guarantees the product security and the regulatory compliance prior to the registration.
The name and address of the FOB must appear on the product labelling upon becoming responsible for it while it is on the market.
Making Food Supplements available on the EU market.
Food supplements are regulated in Europe by Directive 2002/46/EC.
The directive establishes the banned and restrictins regarding the use of certain ingredients, the labelling conditions, tests, claims and everything necessary to place safe products on the market.
National regulations establish the main caractheristics for each country and the registration process, which must be done at national level.
Foreign companies must have a representative in Europe in order to make their products registration.