The political landscape of 2024 in the EU
As the European Union transitions into a new political chapter with the reconstitution of its Commission and Parliament, the food supplements sector is seizing the opportunity to shape its future.
Regulation & policy
Food Supplements Europe: Taking stock of 2024’s regulatory developments
As the year comes to a close, companies in the supplement industry should review key developments and prepare for potential regulatory changes in the coming year to ensure their product portfolios remain compliant and competitive.
Policy and regulatory developments in sports nutrition 2024
Reflections on the past year and insights on what lies ahead from the perspective of the Chair of the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA)
UPF lawsuit threat: how likely is one in the EU?
A lawsuit in the US has targeted several large food manufacturers, alleging the products they make are designed to be addictive. Could such a lawsuit occur in Europe?
EFSA rejects creatine for cognitive function health claim
The European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected claims that creatine may improve cognitive function, with one expert telling us that “it’s way too early to conclude that creatine improves cognition overall.”
International Probiotics Association: A legacy of excellence and a bold strategic evolution
In this guest article, IPA’s George Parskevakos reviews an eventful and transformative 2024 for the organization...
EUDR ‘no risk’ status cancelled and 12 month delay reconfirmed
The controversial EUDR no risk status has been provisionally binned in a ‘trilogue’ between the European Council, Commission and Parliament.
‘An outstanding event showcasing the latest science and market trends’: 7 reasons to attend The IPAWC + Probiota 2025
The IPA World Congress + Probiota 2025 is two months away! The three-day conference is the leading event for the probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiome community, and here’s why…
CBD Update: FSA aligns with Home Office to establish THC levels
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has taken the next step in regulating Cannabidiol (CBD) products, announcing an update in safety assessments, risk management and compliance protocols.
Across the Nutraverse: US FDA Commissioner nominee, France’s proposed new levels for vitamins, new NOW test results and India’s nutraceutical regs
A lot has happened in the global nutrition industry over the past seven days, so catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.
Regulatory review: India’s inter-ministerial report, Malaysia’s modern claims and more
We look at the latest regulatory announcements happening across Asia-Pacific’s health and nutrition sector, including India’s inter-ministerial committee report on nutraceutical regulations, new updates on modern claims product approval in Malaysia and...
France proposes sweeping changes to maximum levels for vitamins & minerals
French regulators are proposing significant changes to permissible levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements, which could see vitamin C limits slashed by almost 80%.
‘A welcome initiative’: New paper outlines roadmap to EU prebiotic health claims
Characterization, demonstration, and documentation are the three main foundations for a new roadmap outlined by experts from academia and industry to achieve the authorization of “prebiotic” in future EU health claims.
Expert weighs in on EU Court victory for aloe
The EU botanicals industry is celebrating after the General Court of the EU annulled the prohibition of hydroxyanthracene derivatives (HADs) in Aloe spp.
Navigating the legal landscape of ingredients for mind health
Ayurvedic herbs, probiotics, CBD, and mushrooms are under scrutiny as the mind health boom means brands must overcome regulatory hurdles, says an industry expert.
Guest Article
Inaugural SABPA symposium: Ensuring access to and benefit sharing for Southern African botanicals
Over 80 stakeholders from government, academia and industry gathered recently at the first Southern African Botanical Products Association (SABPA) symposium to discuss best practices to successfully bring compliant ingredients to the world market.
Across the Nutraverse: New Jersey attempted restrictions, France’s new supplements platform and natural product regulation in NZ
A lot has happened in the global nutrition industry over the past seven days, with a restrictive supplements bill passing the New Jersey Assembly, NZ’s new natural products bill and France’s new online platform for supplements among the headlines. Catch...
Will COP29 focus on food?
As COP29 garners global attention, its focus on food systems continues to grow.
Navigating ingredient regulation: Key insights for maternal and infant health
Ingredient regulation in food supplements for maternal and infant health is imperative as novel food applications frequently prioritize approval at the expense of maternal and child considerations, according to a legal expert.
'Slick and ambitious' French platform uses tech to boost supplement safety and transparency
The French Ministry of Agriculture has launched Compl’Alim, a mandatory online system for declaring new supplements.
GRMA launches Innovative Product Integrity Program
The Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance said it is hoping to increase confidence in product integrity within the supply chain by introducing the Innovative Product Integrity Program.
Guest article
Sports foods industry launches policy priorities for new EU decision makers
As the EU enters a new policy cycle following the European Εlections and with a new European Commission expected to be fully operational in the coming weeks, ESSNA, the European trade body for sports foods, has launched the policy priorities of the...
Across the Nutraverse: NJ seeks to restrict supplement access, caffeine guidance, fatigue and anxiety in Japan, and more
A lot has happened in the global nutrition industry over the past seven days, with New Jersey attempting to restrict access to select dietary supplements, Japan’s youth reporting being fatigued and anxious, UK guidance over caffeine in supplements and...
Guidance on caffeine in supplements issued amid safety concerns
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued new guidance to ensure the safe consumption and production of food supplements containing high levels of caffeine in response to growing health risk concerns.
ADM expands non-GM capabilities in Hungary with acquisition of multi-seed and corn germ facility
ADM has announced an agreement to acquire Vandamme Hungaria Kft, along with its associated entities, which operate a 700 metric ton per day non-GM crush and extraction facility in northern Hungary.
New ASA rulings target CBD for kids “grey area”
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) identifies two brands making claims that cannabidiol (CBD) is suitable for consumption by children, but “legal and safe are two different things” according to expert opinion.
AHPA submits comments to UK FSA’s call for evidence for ashwagandha
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has submitted comments to the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency's (FSA) supporting the safety, usage and science of ashwagandha.
dsm-firmenich secures UK and EU approvals for HMO ingredients
Nutritional ingredients supplier dsm-firmenich announced that the United Kingdom and European Union have approved the company's human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) ingredients—3-FL and a mixture of LNFP-I and 2'-FL—as novel food ingredients.
EHPM expresses concerns on recent European HoA report on Food Supplements
A recent report from the Heads of Food Safety Agencies (HoA) in Europe raised concerns about 13 ingredients in food supplements, including melatonin, piperine, and curcumin. In this guest article, the European Federation of Associations of Health Product...
Guest article
The EU’s term 2024–25: What sports foods businesses should expect from the new policy cycle?
In this guest article, Luca Bucchini, the Chair of the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA), discusses some of the new Commission's policy ambitions impacting the sports nutrition sector.
Probiota 2025: Early bird discount end this month!
With expert speakers confirmed from Ani Biome, the Lawson Health Research Institute, Örebro University, ETH Zurich, dsm-firmenich, Novonesis, IFF, Morinaga, Kerry, and more, the upcoming Probiota 2025 is not to be missed.
ASA rulings against Huel and Zoe spark controversy
Recent Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rulings against Huel and Zoe for misrepresenting celebrity investor Steven Bartlett's involvement have sparked online debate, prompting calls for the ASA to update its guidelines.
Why a UPF tax would be near impossible and ineffective
Consumers are turning on ultra-processed foods (UPF), with some calling for a UPF manufacturer tax. But do they yet understand the term and how would a UPF tax impact makers?
Picking the right analytical testing lab strongly advised
Insisting on a high bar in product testing protects both a company’s bottom line and the dietary supplement industry’s long-term success, says Alkemist Labs.
Brands urged to avoid misleading menopause marketing following ASA rulings
Breaching advertising codes for menopause supplement marketing is not fair to the consumer, says a menopause brand expert.
Thank you, Basil: Industry pays tribute to diplomat's immense international legacy
The nutraceutical industry has thanked Basil Mathioudakis for his determination, wit, extraordinary commitment and great legacy, after he passed away on August 2.
Chemistry conundrum: U.S. experts weigh in on European ashwagandha concerns
In an editorial published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, leading natural product researchers summarized the flaws in the botanical research used by European regulators to question the safety of ashwagandha.
ASA cracks down on anxiety claims: Six brands scolded
The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has made six rulings against brands making anti-anxiety claims, utilizing its new AI monitoring system to catch breaches.
Experts discuss relative risks of probiotics for preterm infants
Giving preterm infants probiotics comes with relative risks so research is needed to help make this common procedure in low-risk cases, according to experts speaking at the recent International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP)...
UK launches ashwagandha safety consultation as Indian experts step up defense
Ashwagandha suppliers are being urged to invest in defense as the UK Food Safety Agency (FSA) launches a consultation into the herb and Indian experts refute safety concerns.
Nestlé's milk iron caseinate approved for use in supplements from this month
The European Commission (EC) has published regulation allowing iron caseinate from milk, made by Nestlé, to be added to dietary supplements from this month (July 2024) after gaining Novel Food approval last year.
ASA targets menopause claims with AI assisted crackdown
The UK’s advertising standards authority (ASA) has warned supplement firms they must remove ads which make claims to treat or cure the symptoms of menopause, as part of a wider AI-assisted campaign.
ASA clocks unauthorized claims in Nutritional Sciences Ltd ad
The Advertising Standard Agency (ASA) ruled that an advert for ‘Activ8 Joint Complete’ must be removed after making unauthorised health claims for bone and joint health.
European consultation: Have your say on mutual recognition
Nutraceutical players are invited to give their thoughts on the implementation of of the mutual recognition regulation as part of a new consultation run by the European Commission (EC).
‘Truly a fantastic experience!’: Save the date for Probiota 2025
Described by one recent attendee as “THE microbiome research & business development event to go to in Europe”, NutraIngredients is pleased to announce the dates for Probiota 2025.
AHP responds to claims of ashwagandha abortifacient effects
The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) has responded to the growing number of European authorities reporting ashwagandha as an abortificient, arguing they have incorrectly cited the WHO monograph and AHP review.
French agency warns ashwagandha unsafe in specific populations
The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has warned against the use of ashwagandha in a number of specific populations, making it likely operators will be advised to use label warnings.
EFSA establishes new safe level for iron intake
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has not been able to establish a tolerable upper intake (TUI) level for iron but has agreed a 'safe level' of 40 mg per day for adults.
European food safety report 'taking pot shots' at popular botanicals
A working group of 26 member states has published a report suggesting the need to ban or restrict 12 'critical' ingredients such as ashwagandha, curcumin, maca and substances like melatonin.
How are ‘better for you’ and other health claims regulated?
Despite widespread use, terms such as ‘better for you’ and ‘healthy’ can’t just be used outright. They must be used in the right context.