On 14 June 2022, the European Parliament and the Council of 10 June 2002 celebrated the 20th anniversary of Directive 2002/46/EC, also known as the Food Supplements Directive.
The directive was a result of a constructive dialogue between experts from the supplement sector, institutions, authorities, and European stakeholders.
The European Federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM) was one of the stakeholders involved.
This association has been around since 1975 and has been the voice of the supplement sector for nearly half a century. It represents about 1,600 producers, distributors, and suppliers of health products across 17 countries in Europe.
Though supplements can’t replace healthy diets and lifestyles, they can optimize our nutrition. They can compensate for the lack of certain nutrients in our diets, improve our health, and reduce the risk of developing certain diseases.
Because of this, supplements can also reduce the financial burden of healthcare systems on the Member States.
Therefore, it was critical to ensure their effectiveness and safety.
In an attempt to achieve this, the Food and Supplements directive was brought into existence. It aimed to define food supplements, as well as regulate their content and lawful circulation.
The directive also insists on proper labeling and providing customers with detailed information on food supplements and their ingredients.
All of this allows for better control in the food supplements sector and ensures the quality and safety of all supplemental products.
