{"id":15708,"date":"2025-10-15T12:34:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T10:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalegonutrition.com\/what-are-food-supplements-called-in-other-countries-and-which-bodies-regulate-them\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T12:34:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T10:34:13","slug":"what-are-food-supplements-called-in-other-countries-and-which-bodies-regulate-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalegonutrition.com\/en\/what-are-food-supplements-called-in-other-countries-and-which-bodies-regulate-them\/","title":{"rendered":"What are food supplements called in other countries and which bodies regulate them?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Launching the same product in several markets is not just a matter of translation, it is a matter of legal compliance and adaptation<\/strong>. The category, the term on the label and the permitted messages vary from country to country. What is understood as a food supplement <\/em>in the EU is considered a dietary supplement <\/em>in the United States and a natural health product<\/em> in Canada. Therefore, understanding how food supplements<\/strong> are named in other countries is the first step in avoiding customs incidents, marketplace objections or last-minute corrections to final artwork. <\/p>\n

In addition to the name, the referee for the match changes in each region. In Europe, the EFSA<\/a> comes into play alongside national authorities; in the US, the FDA<\/a> under the DSHEA framework; in Brazil, ANVISA; in India, FSSAI; in Japan, the MHLW and its FOSHU\/FNFC\/FFC channels; and so on. Each authority brings with it its own regulations, consumption limits, warning formats, and rules for the use of claims<\/em>. This regulatory mosaic explains why so many brands stumble when they try to reuse labels<\/a> from one country to another without prior review<\/a>. <\/p>\n

In this article, we provide a practical summary of the official names <\/strong>and competent authorities <\/strong>in the main markets where you can sell <\/a>your \u201cfood supplements\u201d to help you plan your labelling and communication and establish commercial strategies that will lead to resounding success. If your sales plan involves selling food supplements<\/strong> in other countries, this list will serve as a checklist<\/em> to validate the category name, detect claims and finalise the artwork before printing, exporting or launching campaigns. <\/p>\n

Names of food supplements in other countries<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
Europe (EU) \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa<\/strong><\/p>\n
    \n
  • What is it called?:<\/strong> Food supplements<\/em><\/li>\n
  • Regulatory bodies<\/strong>: EFSA and national authorities.<\/li>\n
  • Operational key points<\/strong>: Use \u2018food supplement\u2019 as a generic term and adapt national requirements <\/strong>(prior notification in some countries, positive lists of ingredients, mandatory warnings). Perfect for a multi-country strategy within the EU when discussing food supplements in other European countries<\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

    Spain \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8<\/strong><\/p>\n
      \n
    • What it is called:<\/strong> Food supplement<\/em><\/li>\n
    • Who regulates<\/strong>: National authorities (aligned with the EU).<\/li>\n
    • Operational key points<\/strong>: Consistent translations in e-commerce and retail; complies with mandatory warnings<\/strong> and recommended daily dosage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

       <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

      USA \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/strong><\/p>\n
        \n
      • What is called:<\/strong> Dietary supplements<\/em><\/li>\n
      • Who regulates<\/strong>: FDA (DSHEA framework).<\/li>\n
      • Operational key points<\/strong>: Post-market model: operator responsibility, structural\/functional claims<\/strong> with disclaimer<\/em> and, where applicable, structure-function notification. It is important not to mix EU\/US requirements when internationalising food supplements in other countries<\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

         <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

        Canada \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6<\/strong><\/p>\n
          \n
        • What it is called<\/strong>: Natural health product<\/em><\/li>\n
        • What is called:<\/strong> Health Canada.<\/li>\n
        • Operational key points<\/strong>: Usually requires an NPN (Natural Product Number)<\/strong>. Adjust positioning: here, the official label does not refer to a \u2018dietary supplement\u2019. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

           <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

          U.K. \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7<\/strong><\/p>\n
            \n
          • What is called<\/strong>: Food supplements.<\/em><\/li>\n
          • Who regulates<\/strong>: British authorities.<\/li>\n
          • Operational key points<\/strong>: Largely aligned with the EU, with some nuances. Review equivalencies of positive lists and notification procedures<\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

             <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

            Argentina<\/strong> \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf7<\/p>\n
              \n
            • What it is called:<\/strong> Suplementos dietarios<\/li>\n
            • Regulatory authority:<\/strong> ANMAT (Ministry of Health).<\/li>\n
            • Operational keys<\/strong>: Local translation required \u2014 \u2018dietarios\u2019 does not mean \u2018diet\u00e9ticos\u2019 \u2014; check ingredient lists a<\/strong>nd local warnings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

               <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

              Brazil<\/strong> \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddf7<\/p>\n
                \n
              • What it is called:<\/strong> Suplementos alimentares<\/em><\/li>\n
              • Regulatory authority:<\/strong> ANVISA.<\/li>\n
              • Operational guidelines<\/strong>: Specific framework for supplements with categories and positive lists<\/strong>; attention to maximum intakes<\/strong> and predefined claims<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                 <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

                Mexico \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd<\/strong><\/p>\n
                  \n
                • What it is called:<\/strong> Suplemento alimenticio<\/em><\/li>\n
                • Regulatory authority:<\/strong> COFEPRIS.<\/li>\n
                • Operational keys:<\/strong> Labelling and advertising with clear limits; validate novel ingredients before scaling up your food supplements<\/strong> in other Latin American countries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                   <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

                  Australia \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa<\/strong><\/p>\n
                    \n
                  • What it is called:<\/strong> Complementary medicine<\/em><\/li>\n
                  • Regulatory authority:<\/strong> TGA.<\/li>\n
                  • Operational keys<\/strong>: Some of the submissions are listed<\/strong> or registered<\/strong>; the word \u2018medicine\u2019 implies standards and claims that are different from \u2018food\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                     <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

                    South Africa \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6<\/strong><\/p>\n
                      \n
                    • What it is called:<\/strong> Health supplements<\/em> \/ Complementary medicine<\/em><\/li>\n
                    • Regulatory authority: SAHPRA.<\/li>\n
                    • Operational key points<\/strong>: Verify whether your product falls under complementary medicines<\/strong> and adjust evidence and registration accordingly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                       <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

                      United Arab Emirates \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddea<\/strong><\/p>\n
                        \n
                      • What it is called:<\/strong> Health supplements<\/em><\/li>\n
                      • Who regulates<\/strong>: Dubai Municipality (and local authorities).<\/li>\n
                      • Operational keys<\/strong>: Approves label in English\/Arabic,<\/strong> validates import and certificates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                         <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

                        Egypt \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddec<\/p>\n
                          \n
                        • What is called<\/strong>: Food supplements.<\/em><\/li>\n
                        • Who regulates:<\/strong> National Food Safety Authority of Egypt.<\/li>\n
                        • Operational keys<\/strong>: Check registration\/import<\/strong> and claim<\/strong> equivalencies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                           <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

                          Nigeria<\/strong> \ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddec<\/p>\n
                            \n
                          • What it is called:<\/strong> Herbal medicine and related products<\/em> (category used for many supplements)<\/li>\n
                          • Who regulates:<\/strong> NAFDAC.<\/li>\n
                          • Operational guidelines<\/strong>: Classification and authorisations vary according to plant origin<\/strong> and presentation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                             <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

                            India<\/strong> \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf3<\/p>\n
                              \n
                            • What it is called:<\/strong> Health supplements<\/em><\/li>\n
                            • Who regulates: FSSAI.<\/li>\n
                            • Operational guidelines<\/strong>: Specific regulations for nutraceuticals<\/strong> and health supplements; review lists of ingredients and maximum levels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                               <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

                              China \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf3<\/strong><\/p>\n
                                \n
                              • What it is called:<\/strong> Health food<\/em><\/li>\n
                              • Regulatory authority<\/strong>: NMPA (formerly CFDA).<\/li>\n
                              • Operational keys<\/strong>: There are \u2018blue cap\u2019<\/em> approvals; categories and claims with reinforced control<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                 <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

                                Japan \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5<\/strong><\/p>\n
                                  \n
                                • C\u00f3mo se denomina:<\/strong> Alimentos con declaraciones de propiedades saludables<\/em> (por ejemplo, FOSHU, FNFC, FFC)<\/li>\n
                                • Who regulates:<\/strong> MHLW (in coordination with consumer\/health authorities).<\/li>\n
                                • Operational key points<\/strong>: System based on claim categories<\/strong>; assess whether your evidence fits into FOSHU\/FNFC\/FFC before promising benefits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                   <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

                                  \n

                                  Common mistakes when internationalising food supplements in other countries<\/h2>\n

                                  After reviewing each market in detail, it is worth analysing the most common mistakes we see time and time again when brands try to sell food supplements in other countries<\/strong> by reusing labels or messages. These are seemingly minor errors \u2014 literal translations, information taken out of context, category confusion \u2014 but they have a real impact. In our years as consultants, we have seen many products that are stopped at the border, requiring last-minute corrections. This list of five common mistakes <\/strong>will serve as a quick checklist to help you prevent them before printing, exporting, or launching campaigns. <\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  1. Literal translation<\/strong> of \u2018complemento alimenticio\u2019 as dietetic supplement<\/em> in Latin America. In Argentina, \u2018suplemento dietario<\/strong>\u2019 is used, and in Brazil, \u2018suplemento alimentar<\/strong>\u2019. <\/li>\n
                                  2. Reuse the same US labelling<\/i> in the EU.<\/li>\n
                                  3. Confusing the category<\/strong> in Australia\/Japan: complementary medicine<\/em> or foods with health claims <\/em>is not<\/strong> the same as \u2018food supplements\u2019 in EU countries.<\/li>\n
                                  4. Global claims that directly conflict with the national lists of several countries <\/strong>(Brazil, India, Japan).<\/li>\n
                                  5. Omitting the competent authority <\/strong>in the documentation (Health Canada\/NPN, NAFDAC, ANVISA, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n
                                    <\/section>\n

                                    It should be noted that the same capsule can be a \u2018dietary supplement\u2019 in the US, a \u2018food supplement\u2019 in the EU, a \u2018natural health product\u2019 in Canada, or a \u2018complementary medicine\u2019 in Australia. Therefore, it is necessary to change the name and marketing strategies, adapting what you promise, how you label it, and what procedures you follow to each territory. If you are going to sell food supplements in other countries<\/strong>, start with the correct name. <\/p>\n

                                    Would you like us to review your labels, translations and claims for each of the countries where you wish to sell?<\/strong> At LegaleGo, we turn your products into a multi-country project ready for inspection (reviewing labelling, claims, and notifications). Write to us and we will offer you tailored support for all your needs. <\/p>\n