Food supplements are defined by the legislation that governs them (Directive 2002/46/EC, implemented with Legislative Decree no. 169 dated May 21, 2004) as: “foodstuffs intended to integrate the common diet and which provide a concentrated source of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, in particular, but not exclusively, amino acids, essential fatty acids, fibres and extracts of vegetable origin, both mono-composed and pluri-composed, in pre-dosed forms”.
For a responsible choice of products, it is appropriate to recall that all food supplements made from plants are specifically regulated by specific rules, that provide that:
• They must be regularly notified to the Ministry of Health pursuant to art. 7 of Legislative Decree No. 111 of January 27, 1992 and subsequent Circular No. 3 of July 18, 2002 (Official Journal n. 188 of August 12, 2002) and included in the register of food supplements available on the website of the Ministry of Health; www.salute.gov.it/alimentiParticolariIntegratori)
• They must be prepared exclusively in establishments authorised by the Ministry of Health for the production and packaging of foodstuffs intended for particular food, enriched foods and dietary supplements; DECREE February 23, 2006 “General technical requirements and criteria for certification of the production and packaging of food supplements”;
• They must include on the label all information relating to plants or parts used thereof, excipients, compound foodstuffs, allergens, manufacturing plant, nutrient supply and warnings in accordance with Legislative Decree of January 27, 1992, no. 109 and Ministerial Decree No. 169 of May 21, 2004.