Guide to the Regulation of Food Supplements in the United Kingdom

Entering the UK food supplement market means navigating a system that retains many of the EU's historic rules, but with specificities following Brexit. This guide highlights what new brands need to know to stay safe, comply with regulations, and be ready to launch in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales), as well as the differences in Northern Ireland.

Table of contents

• 1) What is considered a food supplement?

• 2) The legal pillars (Great Britain)

• 3) Essential elements of labelling (Great Britain)

• 4) Declaration strategy

• 5) Key points in the formulation

• 6) Particularities of Northern Ireland

• 7) Simplified route to market (Great Britain)

• Common mistakes

• How does Belab help new entrants succeed in the UK?

Guide to the Regulation of Food Supplements in the United Kingdom

1) What is considered a food supplement?

In the UK, supplements are regulated as foods in dosage form intended to supplement the diet (e.g., capsules, tablets, or dosed liquids).

2) The legal pillars (Great Britain)

• Food Supplements Regulation: defines which vitamins/minerals and chemical forms are permitted, in addition to establishing the specific mandatory labeling declarations.

• Food Information Standards: These establish horizontal labeling requirements (food name, list of ingredients, allergens, food operator information, consumption date, etc.).

• Nutrition and Health Claims: Great Britain uses the GB Nutrition & Health Claims (NHC) Register . Only claims authorized in that register may be used, in their exact wording and under the specified conditions.

• Novel Foods (NF): Ingredients without a significant history of consumption prior to 15 May 1997 require authorisation in NF through the FSA's regulated products process (traditional NF notification or full application).

3) Essential elements of labelling (Great Britain)

Beyond the general food labeling requirements, the British guide emphasizes that supplements must be clearly identified as "food supplement" (not "dietary supplement" ) and include the name and address of the food operator on the label or packaging. They must also include additional consumer-facing information to encourage safe and informed consumption. Ensuring these elements are properly implemented requires the expertise of a qualified professional familiar with the specifics of food supplement regulations.

4) Declaration strategy

Marketing must be aligned with the GB NHC Register . The formula and daily dose must be designed around the conditions of use of the intended claims (e.g., minimum nutrient content per daily serving). Disease risk reduction or medicinal claims are prohibited.

5) Key points in the formulation

• Vitamins and minerals: Use only authorized nutrients and chemical forms.

• Other substances (botanicals/bioactives): Outside of vitamins and minerals, novel food status must first be assessed. If considered novel , British approval will be required before marketing.

• Safety narrative: Adjust daily dose and exposure to recognized scientific reference points.

6) Particularities of Northern Ireland

Under current arrangements, EU food law continues to apply in Northern Ireland in areas such as novel foods and claims.

• Novel foods in Northern Ireland follow the EU process (submission via the European Commission/EFSA).

• NI products must include an NI or EU address (or that of the importer in NI/EU) on the labeling/operator details.

Planning SKUs and label designs with GB/NI distribution in mind helps avoid subsequent relabeling.

7) Simplified route to market (Great Britain)

1. Formula review: confirm authorized forms of vitamins/minerals and analyze the novel food risk in other substances.

2. Declarations: Select only those present in the GB NHC Register and comply with its terms of use.

3. Label construction: FIC base + specific supplement declarations + operator/importer data in GB; no disease declarations.

4. GB vs NI division: If also marketed in NI, check compliance with EU legislation (claims/novel foods) and the operator's address format.

5. Documentation package: specifications, certificates of analysis, stability/shelf-life justification, and a short safety/declaration dossier to support potential inquiries from UK competent authorities.

Common mistakes

• Assuming that EU approvals automatically cover novel foods in Great Britain—this isn't the case; Great Britain has its own procedure.

• Using EU declarations without checking their adoption or conditions in the GB NHC Register .

• Apply a single label for GB and NI—regulatory direction and pathways may differ.

How does Belab help new entrants succeed in the UK?

We transformed the regulations into a practical launch plan:

• Review of formulas and safety justification.

• Declarations and labeling aligned with the GB NHC Register and FIC requirements in the UK.

• Advising on the GB/NI division (art, operator management, documentation) to optimize compliance and logistics.

Ready to launch in Great Britain (and Northern Ireland) with confidence? Let's build your compliant and secure route to market together.

Get in touch with our cosmetic regulation experts today.