Bringing a supplement brand to market is an exciting journey, however, before you can introduce your product to consumers, there’s one crucial step you can’t afford to overlook: labeling compliance.
In the European Union (EU), dietary supplements are classified as food products, which means they must follow strict regulations to ensure consumer safety and transparency. Getting your labels right from the start not only protects your business from legal risks but also builds trust with your customers.
So, what exactly do you need to include on your labels? And just as importantly, what should you avoid? Let’s break it down.
To comply with EU regulations, your label must provide clear, accurate, and complete information about your product. Here’s what you need to include:
1. The Main Ingredients and Nutrients
Your label should specify the key nutrients or active ingredients present in the supplement, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and botanicals.
2. Recommended Daily Intake
You must indicate the suggested daily dose of your product. This helps consumers understand the appropriate amount to take for optimal benefits.
3. Warning Not to Exceed the Recommended Dose
To ensure safe consumption, your label must include a clear statement advising consumers not to exceed the daily recommended intake.
4. A Reminder That Supplements Are Not a Substitute for a Balanced Diet
Supplements are designed to complement a healthy diet—not replace it. Your label must include a disclaimer stating that the supplement is not meant to substitute a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
5. Keep Out of Reach of Children
As an added safety measure, EU regulations require that all supplement labels advise consumers to store the product out of the reach of young children.
6. Exact Amounts of Nutrients or Active Substances
Your label must indicate the precise quantity of each nutrient or active ingredient in numerical form.
While it’s essential to inform and empower your customers, certain claims are strictly prohibited under EU regulations. Here’s what you need to avoid:
1. Claims About Preventing, Treating, or Curing Diseases
Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplements cannot be marketed as treatments or cures for medical conditions. This means you cannot claim that your product prevents, treats, or cures diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or arthritis.
2. Unauthorized Health Claims
If you want to highlight a health benefit—such as “supports immune function” or “contributes to healthy skin”—you must ensure that the claim is approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Unauthorized or misleading health claims are strictly prohibited.
3. Claims Against a Balanced Diet
Your supplement should be positioned as a helpful addition to a balanced diet, not a replacement for real food. Statements implying that food is unnecessary or inadequate without the supplement are not allowed.
Labeling regulations may seem complex, but they’re in place to protect both businesses and consumers. With our expertise and guidance, we’ll help you develop a high-quality supplement brand that meets all regulations with confidence.
Thinking of launching your own supplement line? Let’s make it happen