Notification of food supplements in Europe
The notification of food supplements in Europe is regulated by the European Union itself through Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 June 2002 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to food supplements.
This is what we saw in another of our posts. However, it should not be forgotten that each country has its own regulations, procedures and particular requirements.
Each country has its own system for notifying the placing on the market of food supplements. But what are the differences that characterize each procedure?
France
France has its own notification platform for reporting the marketing of food supplements online.
Germany
Notification of food supplements is mandatory in Germany. All distributors must communicate to the BLV the notification of food supplements. These are notified by means of an online form, which is completed and submitted electronically. Proof of filing is obtained immediately.
Portugal
In Portugal, the notification of food supplements is also mandatory. The notification is made via email, attaching all the necessary documentation (labels and an Excel table that is unique to Portugal). Proof of submission is obtained immediately.
Italy
Italy has its own notification platform for notifying the first placing on the market of food supplements. In order to be able to notify food supplements, the company must first register on the platform as an Economic Operator (OSA). Proof of filing is obtained immediately.
Sweden
In this country, the supplier of a food supplement does not have to obtain any authorization from the Swedish National Food Administration Service. However, a manufacturer, importer or retailer must be registered with the authority of the municipality where it operates. On the other hand, there is a notification system in place if the company that wants to sell the products is not from Sweden.
Finland
In Finland, food supplements must be notified to the Finnish Food Safety Authority (EVIRA). Evira reviews the Notification of Food Supplements and, provided that the Notification contains all the required information, forwards it to the relevant municipal authorities for monitoring purposes. However, it does not assess compliance with the food supplement or labeling. Thus, this is the responsibility of manufacturers and importers in the context of the mandatory internal control procedures established in the Food Law.
Switzerland
This country has very recent regulations regarding this procedure. The notification of food supplements in Europe is regulated by the European Union itself, but also by its own law. Here, the importer, manufacturer or distributor of food supplements assumes full responsibility that the products comply with the established regulations and requirements. There is no prior authorization as in other European countries, so it is their total obligation.
However, importers or distributors of food supplements are required to notify the relevant canton in Switzerland where the products are to be marketed. In the event of inspection, the canton concerned is fully responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations. Afterwards, depending on the procedure, other administrative fees must be paid.
Other interesting updates to its regulations include:
- List of vitamins and minerals with the maximum limits allowed in Switzerland.
- List of permitted substances with the permitted limits for each one of them. (iii)
In the case of ingredients that do not appear on these lists, they may be included in the products provided that: Food safety is ensured, they do not correspond to therapeutic or medicinal products, they make sense with the definition of food supplement and there is no “novel food”.
- List of plants, plant parts and other ingredients that are expressly rejected by Swiss regulations.
Norway
Norway is one of the European countries with national legislation harmonized with EU food and veterinary legislation.
Food companies operating in Norway must be registered with the NFSA. If the company is not registered, it would be very difficult to introduce products there. Therefore, there are only two options for marketing in this country:
- An importer based in Norway and that he distributes the complements.
- Register the company in Norway.
From LegaleGo food safety consulting we are at your complete disposal to clarify any doubts you may have and advise you, in each case, which would be the best way to proceed for the notification of supplements in Europe.