Life under the Food Supplements Directive
The regulation is widely regarded to have been less restrictive than was expected when it was enacted in 2002, but companies are engaging in reformulation activities due for completion by year’s end.
That means ensuring only those vitamins that have made the positive lists are sold or formulated into food supplement products.
UK supplier, Gee Lawson noted in its client newsletter recently that some changes were underway, and played the role of the helpful supplier by suggesting alternatives.
“With the recent publication of the vitamins and mineral list there are going to be some reformulations and new products needed to replace those which did not make the list,” the company said.
“Amino Acid Chelates are no more but Biglycinates are an approved source,” it said by way of example.
Better than expected
The FSD list was finalised in July (read about that here) and drew a positive response from industry.
The opinions require further validation by the European Commission and member states, a process that is expected to raise few objections or bring many changes to the opinions issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
EFSA processed 533 applications relating to 344 nutrients and identified safety concerns with 39 of them.
The FSD states that the derogation period ends on December 31, after which all food supplements marketed across the 27-member state bloc can only contain vitamins and minerals and their substances that appear on the Annex 1 and 2 positive lists.
