Food supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients (or other substances) with a nutritional or physiological effect. They are typically taken in “dose” form, such as pills, tablets, capsules, liquids in measured doses.

The European Commission's Food Supplements Directive of 2002 aims to protect consumers against potential health risks from food supplements products and to ensure that they are not provided with misleading information. It also establishes a core framework for the marketing of supplements in the EU. With respect to the safety of food supplements, the Directive lays down a harmonised list of vitamins and minerals that may be added for nutritional purposes in food supplements.

Over the past 20 years, the market in supplements has developed significantly and there has been a much greater recognition by consumers. In addition to the 2002 framework, a wide range of EU food legislation is in place which covers food supplements. This includes additives, contaminants, labelling, hygiene claims.

The European Commission is also working on two areas that are not currently harmonised at the EU level: the maximum levels of permitted vitamins and minerals in food supplements, and the use of botanical ingredients.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out what a potential policy framework for supplements could look like, given the regulatory environment is broadly in place. Addressed questions included:

- How can supplements play a role in helping build more resilient societies and reduce the burden on national health systems?
- Since deficiencies in a range of vitamins and minerals still exist in the EU, can supplements help redress this imbalance?
- Can food supplements help governments achieve their objective of keeping an ageing EU population healthy and productive?