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Supplement Regulation In Europe
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Posted by: Prince
Supplement Regulation In Europe
In the U.S. many manufacturers of supplements have learned to live with the continually increased supplement regulations and FDA enforcement. However, in Europe manufacturers are concerned that many of the 4,000 or so health claims being made for supplements may be rejected by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), because it requires these to be truthful and not misleading! Wow, what a concept!
80% Of Marketing Claims Were Not Approved
Scientific substantiation of marketing claims is at the heart of a real controversy for the dietary supplement industry in Europe.
“The situation is very complex and difficult,” notes Patrick Coppens. The European nutrition and health claims legislation was passed in 2006, but the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) only began handing down decisions in 2009. “The standards for scientific substantiation are very high, and there are concerns that existing claims for food and food supplements will be found not to have proper scientific justification,” Coppens explains.
Of the initial evaluations completed, nearly 80% were not approved. The EFSA planned to review nearly 1,500 claims by the end of November 2009, but it has already sent back about 2,700 for further clarification! Many supplement manufacturers have indicated there is great confusion over what exactly is needed in the way of scientific data to support claims.
“It is definitely a quagmire … a lot of clarity is still needed.” says Daniel Fabricant, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the Natural Products Association.
What Is A Quagmire?
Okay, if you’re as confused as I was when I read that strange word Mr. Fabricant used in his quote, then read this section.
Wikipeadia defines a quagmire as: “A type of wetland. It may also refer to a predicament or situation from which it is difficult to extricate oneself.”
Usage Levels For Vitamins & Minerals In Europe
Standard guidelines on the usage-level for vitamins and minerals is needed desperately as a great deal of variance exists amongst the many European countries. A proposal containing recommended maximum levels is expected in the near future but getting each country to agree on the levels of each will be very difficult.
Posted by: PushAndPull
Wonder if they will ever do this in the U.S.?
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Supplement Regulation In Europe
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