Dietary Supplements

Dietary Supplements: Functional Foods

Dietary supplements are intended to complement the general diet. They are concentrates of nutrients (vitamins, minerals & trace elements) and are intended to fulfill a nutrition-specific purpose.

A commonly purchased dietary supplement is, for example, an iron preparation to supplement deficiencies in women or generally in vegetarians.

Dietary supplements are offered in various forms such as pills, capsules, tablets, or powders. They are not medicines or medical devices.

Dietary supplements are strictly regulated under EU law in the Food Supplements Regulation. This primarily specifies which nutrients and in what concentrations may be used and how they must be labeled on the packaging.