Labelling of Food Supplements Has Its Own Rules
Did you know that the phrase “Do not exceed the recommended daily dose” cannot be changed to, for example, “Please do not exceed the recommended daily dose”? The legislation sets out mandatory texts that must be included on the label of a nutritional supplement. At the same time, there are legal restrictions that determine what you cannot include there. Let’s take a look at them.
THE LABEL MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
Since food supplements are regulated as food in the European Union, they must comply with the general food labelling rules. According to the directive on food supplements, the following information must be indicated on the packaging:
- recommended daily dose of the product
- warning not to exceed the recommended daily dose
- statement that food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a balanced diet
- warning that the product should be stored out of the reach of young children
Nutritional supplements and their labels must also comply with national legislation. Therefore, it is important to check the requirements in the countries where you will be selling your products.
According to the Regulation on the provision of food information to consumers, mandatory food information shall be provided in a language that is easily understood by customers in the member state where the food is placed on the market.
This means that if you intend to sell your nutritional supplements in Italy, you should also have the texts on the label translated into Italian.
DO NOT STATE THIS ON THE LABEL OF FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
Conversely, labels must not claim that the product can prevent, treat or cure a disease. The same applies to the presentation and advertising of dietary supplements.
This means that, for example, you cannot claim on a collagen label that the product treats arthritis. Such information can only be stated on the packaging of a medicinal product from a pharmaceutical company. In the case of a nutritional supplement, a different formulation is needed, for example, “helps with joint pain”.
In the labelling, offering and advertising of food supplements, there shall be no reference that states or implies that a balanced and varied diet cannot generally provide adequate amounts of nutrients.
We always send our customers specifications of information that must be included on the packaging of their dietary supplement. It’s part of our process of manufacturing nutritional supplements for private labels. Find out more in our article.
