Dietary supplement production and consumer safety

We hear a lot about supplements not being the same as medicines, and that their manufacturers are not subject to such strict legal regulations as drug manufacturers. But what in practice makes a supplement safe or not? And are dietary supplements harmful, or is it only their improper use that can be associated with increased risk? In this article, we take a close look at the difficult topic of dietary supplements and safety to unequivocally answer all the most frequently occurring doubts.

Are dietary supplements harmful? What distinguishes them from medicines?

If you are wondering whether dietary supplements are harmful or healthy, you probably already know the most important fact: a supplement is not a medicine, but a foodstuff, the purpose of which is to supplement a normal diet. Therefore, its production and distribution are regulated not by the law on medical products, but by food law regulations. In their light, dietary supplements are food – that’s why they can be so widely available. After all, you will find them not only in pharmacies, but also in drugstores, and even in many grocery stores or on the Internet. However, this does not mean that they are dangerous – after all, the food you buy in the store every day is also a food product, right?

Dietary supplements and the law

Requirements for supplements are regulated by EU directives and regulations as well as Polish law. The applicable legal provisions specify, among other things, the permissible levels of vitamins and minerals (as well as their chemical forms, which may be found in supplements).

Remember! According to the regulations, the label of a dietary supplement must contain a clear inscription “dietary supplement” along with the recommended daily intake and the described nutrients.

Who is responsible for the safety of supplements?

The entity that first places the foodstuff on the market is responsible for ensuring that dietary supplements comply with legal requirements. This could be the manufacturer (often a contract company like Eubioco) or the distributor. One of the important recommendations that people responsible for contract manufacturing of dietary supplements and distribution must comply with is to clearly communicate to the recipient that the product is not a medicinal product, but a food product, i.e. a dietary supplement – the principle of not misleading the Consumer. Is it worth using them and if so, in what cases? We will devote the next part of the article to this topic.

Dietary supplements – do they help or harm?

Dietary supplements are a controversial topic in the world of pharmacy and medicine – however, the problem usually lies not in their production (professional companies, such as Eubioco, will have no problem creating a good quality supplement), but more often – in the way marketing is conducted around them and the still low consumer awareness.

One should bear in mind one basic definition between a dietary supplement and a drug – a supplement is not intended for treatment, so it should not be used as a remedy for health problems. However, it can help supplement deficiencies of specific nutrients, especially if the diet must be restricted for health reasons and cannot provide enough vitamins or minerals.

There may be some doubt that some of the ingredients contained in supplements have not yet been fully tested for safety – especially for children, the elderly, or those with metabolic disorders. Therefore, when reaching for a supplement, make sure that it comes from a good source and that its introduction to the market has been preceded by sufficient research, because not all products are created equal.

What to look for when buying supplements?

If you have the opportunity, check how the supplements you use were manufactured. At Eubioco, we make sure that their production is carried out in accordance with GMP principles and the HACCP quality management system, which guarantees the highest quality of the product. Dietary supplements and safety is a very important topic that should be approached with caution – if you are not sure whether the product you are using is really of good quality, you may risk overpaying or no effects.

So let’s summarize: are supplements harmful? No – but their excessive or unjustified intake, taking them for medicinal purposes, or using supplements from unverified sources can be harmful. Take care of your health – choose quality.