A food supplement is a concentrated source of nutrients or other substances, such as collagen, which have either nutritional or physiological effects, alone or in combination. These substances are marketed in dose form and designed to be taken in measured small unit quantities (such as pills, capsules, or powders that need to be dissolved in liquid).
Food supplements may contain vitamins and minerals or other ingredients such as herbal products, plant extracts, amino acids or fatty acids, but must not have any medicinal properties. They are not intended to prevent, treat or cure disease and should be kept out of the reach of children. In the European Union, supplements must comply with the provisions of Directive 2002/46/EC.
In the United States, supplement regulation was outlined in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. Supplements are regulated differently than conventional foods, and unlike drugs, do not have to undergo the same safety testing prior to being placed on the market. However, once a product is on the market, manufacturers must provide information to the FDA about any adverse reactions that might be associated with it.
The FDA also has specific standards that a food additive must meet in order to be marketed as a dietary supplement ingredient. These standards vary by category. The FDA also has the power to restrict or ban the use of certain dietary supplements, especially those that are falsely labeled or have been found to be harmful in clinical trials.
A person who believes that they have suffered a problem or illness as a result of taking a particular supplement should report it to the FDA as soon as possible, through its online Adverse Event Reporting Portal. This will help the agency identify potential problems and take action if necessary.
It is important to remember that supplements should be taken in conjunction with a well-balanced diet, not instead of a healthy one. This is because they can sometimes have an unwelcome side effect if taken in large amounts, or if they interact with other medications. For example, if someone is taking a vitamin C supplement, it’s essential to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in addition to the recommended daily intake of the vitamin.
The labels of dietary supplements must clearly show the ingredients and the amount of each ingredient. It’s also a good idea to check the ingredients list for any other substances that might be present. These could include the sources of dietary supplements, if not included in the “Supplement Facts” panel (for example, rose hips for vitamin C), other food ingredients (such as water and sugar), and stabilizing agents, preservatives and flavors.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established tolerable upper levels for some of the vitamins and minerals that are found in supplements and fortified foods. The ULs are not binding, but they serve as a guideline to the level of each vitamin or mineral that is unlikely to pose a risk to people’s health.