Premium
Evaluation of food supplements containing other ingredients than vitamins and minerals
Author(s) -
Eisenbrand Gerhard
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.200700216
Subject(s) - library science , citation , computer science , food science , chemistry
The Senate Commission on Food Safety (SKLM) of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has elaborated recommendations for the scientific assessment of the safety and nutritional benefit of food supplements with ingredients other than vitamins and minerals, in particular "other substances with nutritional or physiological effects". According to food law regulations, food supplements do not require an authorization before being placed on the market. The respective producer or distributor of food supplements has to ensure that the product is not harmful and that it is in accordance with the relevant legislation, particularly with the Directive 2002/46/EC, which was implemented into German law with the Regulation on Food Supplements (Verordnung uber Nahrungserganzungsmittel, NemV). However, in contrast to vitamins, minerals and trace elements, the use of "other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect" is not regulated by this directive. There is still a lack of scientifically substantiated criteria that are needed to assess the harmlessness, safety and health benefits of such "other substances". Nevertheless, there is an increasing use of such substances in foods and particularly in food supplements. The German opinion was adopted on 26th September 2006, the English version was accepted on 30th April 2007.