Dietary Supplement Deception: Uncovering the Truth About Most-Popular Fads
Misconceptions Prevail Regarding Nutritional Supplements Among the General Population - Misconceptions Prevalent Regarding Dietary Supplements
Germans, despite their love for balanced diets, are often in the dark about dietary supplements. This shocking revelation stems from a consumer survey, spearheaded by the consumer centers, that discloses a staggering 49% of folks believe these supplements undergo health safety tests before they hit the market. However, that's far from the truth.
The Misconception Conundrum
Fact: The Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety makes it crystal clear that there's no testing or approval by an authority before dietary supplements come to market. Instead, the products must be reported, and it's the responsibility of companies selling these supplements to ensure they're safe for consumption.
Surging Popularity, Questionable Likes
Whether vitamins, detox pills, or other fads, these products garner massive attention across Germany. A survey of nearly 2,000 individuals conducted by the Zühlsdorf + Partner market research institute on behalf of the information service Lebensmittelklarheit.de reveals that 77% regularly use dietary supplements. Furthermore, about a quarter considers these supplements akin to "natural medicine" rather than food, disturbing some consumer experts.
Influencers' Alarming Impact
The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) pinpoints social media platforms as a significant cause for concern when it comes to dietary supplements. They argue that influencers are increasingly promoting these supplements with doubtful health benefits, with unsubstantiated claims spreading like wildfire, even if the alleged effects remain unproven.
Ignorance or Avoidance?
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment generally believes that people who follow a well-rounded, varied diet don't need dietary supplements. However, certain demographics like pregnant women and those with specific health conditions or diets may benefit from targeted supplementation. Pregnant women, for instance, should consider supplementing with folic acid before and during early pregnancy.
Lobbying for Change
From the point of view of consumer protection, Germany advocates for an EU-level approval procedure for dietary supplements. Furthermore, they propose setting maximum allowed amounts for vitamins and minerals in these products to safeguard consumer safety. Jochen Geilenkirchen, vzbv food expert, emphasizes this need, stating, "Consumers must be able to rely on the fact that dietary supplements available in Germany are safe."
- Keywords: Dietary supplements, Safety, Germany, Nutrition, Food, Populairty, Influencers, Advisement.
Background Insight
As a member of the European Union, Germany regulates dietary supplements through a combination of EU-wide and national regulations. The primary legal framework governing these products encompasses the EU Novel Food Regulation, Food Supplements Directive (2002/46/EC), specific provisions in EU and national food law, and national ordinances such as the German Food and Feed Code (LFGB)[2].
Regulations and Safety Measures
- Authorization and Safety Evaluation:
- Novel Foods: All novel ingredients not used in the EU before 1997 (including certain botanicals or new vitamin forms) must receive authorization as “novel foods” before being marketed.
- Safety Assessments: All supplements undergo rigorous safety assessments and scientific evaluation. Authorization of novel ingredients, like recent authorizations of certain plants as novel foods, is handled at the EU level.
- Labeling and Claims:
- Labeling Requirements: Products must clearly list ingredients, use of additives (with E numbers or names), and function (e.g., color or preservative)[5].
- Health Claims: Products may only bear health claims approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Unauthorized or misleading claims are prohibited.
- Quality Control:
- Product Composition: Supplements must comply with purity, safety, and efficacy standards. Only approved vitamins, minerals, and other substances at specified maximum dosages are allowed.
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): German and EU law mandate strict manufacturing standards and traceability.
- Market Surveillance:
- Enforcement: National authorities, such as the German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), monitor the market for non-compliant or unsafe products.
- Product Withdrawal: Authorities can order the withdrawal of products that breach regulations or pose health risks[2].
Role of Influencers and Marketing
- Promotion of Supplements:
- Influencer Marketing: Influencers in Germany, as in other countries, often promote dietary supplements via social media, leveraging their audience trust.
- Disinformation Concerns: There have been increasing reports of German influencers promoting disinformation regarding the safety, efficacy, or necessity of dietary supplements. Some influencers make unsubstantiated health claims, bypassing legal requirements for scientific substantiation[3].
- Regulatory Enforcement:
- Legal Restrictions: Influencers must comply with consumer protection and advertising laws. Marketing should not mislead consumers, and any health claims must be EFSA-approved.
- Challenges: Enforcement is challenging, as influencers may not always be aware of or compliant with legal requirements, and their content may spread rapidly online before authorities can intervene[3].
Summary Table
| Aspect | Germany/EU Regulation ||--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|| Novel food authorization | Required for new ingredients, EU-level process || Safety assessments | Mandatory, scientific evaluation || Labelling | Full ingredient and additive disclosure, E numbers || Health claims | Only EFSA-approved claims allowed || Manufacturing standards | Strict GMP, traceability || Market surveillance | BVL and other authorities monitor, withdraw unsafe items || Influencer promotion | Must not mislead; all health claims must be substantiated |
- To ensure the safety of dietary supplements in Germany, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment advises those who follow a balanced, varied diet to avoid relying on dietary supplements, as they are often marketed without undergoing health safety tests beforehand.
- Amidst the growing popularity of dietary supplements across Germany, consumer experts have expressed concerns over misleading claims regarding natural medicine and health-and-wellness products. These concerns are heightened by the increased promotion of such questionable products by influencers on social media platforms. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and consumer protection organizations encourage the proper labeling and scientific substantiation of health claims for these supplements.
