EU Directive 2002/46/EC - Food Supplements

What it says

This Directive harmonizes national laws on food supplements, meaning concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, marketed in dose form. It lists the vitamins and minerals, and the forms of them, that may be used, sets requirements for purity, and requires specific labeling, including the name of the nutrient category, the portion recommended for daily consumption and a warning not to exceed it.

Paraphrased for plain-language clarity. Always verify against the current published regulation text.

What it means in practice

• Only listed vitamin and mineral forms may be used in supplements.
• Labels must carry the required statements, and must not claim that supplements prevent or treat disease.
• Maximum amounts for vitamins and minerals are determined by national rules and risk assessment, not the Directive alone.

What inspectors look for

• Whether vitamin and mineral sources are on the permitted list.
• Whether labeling carries the required statements.
• Whether claims comply with claims rules.

Related regulations