Regulations
How are food supplements regulated?
Since 1990, all food supplements have been regulated under UK law through the Food Safety Act.
The Food Standards Agency has more information regarding the legal aspects for food supplements here.
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer, importer or distributor to comply with all of the relevant legislation.
Legislation which covers food supplements includes:
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Food Safety Act 1990
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EC Food Supplements Directive (Directive 2002/46/EC) and amendments which can be found on the Commission website
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The Food Supplements Regulations implement the Directive into UK law.​
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12 legislations can be found at http://www.legislation.gov.uk
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Food Information for Consumers Regulation 1169/2011
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Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (EC/1924/2006)
What claims can be made?
The Food Safety Act established in 1990, regulates all stages of food production and marketing. An online, searchable database detailing all of the permitted health claims can be found on the EU register of nutrition and health claims.
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The Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (EC/1924/2006) was established help business owners implement regulation on their health claims to consumers. All food supplements which make claims, sold within the EU must comply with this Regulation.
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The Department of Health regularly give updates regarding EU nutritional claims through legislation bulletins.
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The Food Information for Consumers Regulation regulates labelling requirements and other information which must be made available to consumers at point of purchase. It applies to all foods, including food supplements.
How are claims regulated?
The European Union put the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (EC/1924/2006) in place in 2006, to help improve consumer protection regarding health claims. All food supplements must comply with this legislation.
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A health claim is is any statement about a relationship between food and health. There are 3 types of health claims:
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Function
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Risk reduction
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Children's development
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A nutrition claim means any claim which states, suggests or implies that a food has particular beneficial nutritional properties.
How is packaging regulated?
The UK government enforce strict labelling and packaging requirements to be presented on all products made or sold within the UK.