Critics voice concerns over consumers' misguided faith in dietary supplements
Article:
A study conducted by the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) has revealed a startling lack of risk awareness among consumers regarding dietary supplements. The study, to be published this Wednesday, indicates that a large number of consumers purchase and use dietary supplements without critically questioning their safety or efficacy.
Dietary supplements, a billion-dollar business, are marketed with messages promoting their benefits towards a healthy diet. However, consumer advocates, led by Jochen Geilenkirchen, head of the food team at the Federation of German Consumer Organizations, assert that these claims are often unsubstantiated and consumers need to be more aware of the potential risks associated with these products.
The study found that approximately one-fifth (21%) of respondents believe that dietary supplements are integral to a healthy diet. Furthermore, nearly half (49%) of the participants erroneously assume that dietary supplements undergo pre-market testing for health safety. Approximately four in ten respondents (41%) expect that maximum amounts for ingredients in dietary supplements are legally prescribed, but that is not the case.
Consumer advocates argue that the perception of supplements as a type of 'natural medicine' is misguided. Though classified as food, dietary supplements are not subjected to rigorous approval tests like pharmaceuticals. Instead, they fall under the oversight of various EU and national legislations.
Controversy arises in the case of botanicals, which include plant-, algae-, fungi-, or lichen-derived products like ginkgo, garlic, and ginseng. While these products have a long history of use, concerns persist regarding their safety and quality, particularly the risk of contamination and maintaining active substance concentrations within safe limits.
In light of these concerns, consumer advocates are urging the strengthening of food monitoring and the enactment of EU-wide regulations, aiming to prevent health risks from contaminated or unsafe products. They emphasize the need for more transparent labeling, rigorous safety assessments, and enhanced pre-market authorization procedures and post-market surveillance.
By improving regulations and fostering transparency, consumer advocates hope to safeguard consumer health and trust in dietary supplements. Simultaneously, the EU is working to re-evaluate food additives through the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to maintain the latest scientific safety standards. These ongoing efforts underscore the importance of striking a balance between promoting consumer health and facilitating a thriving dietary supplements industry in the EU.
- The EU is advocating for more EU-wide regulations to address the concerns about the safety and quality of botanicals used in dietary supplements, as part of their commitment to ensure health-and-wellness by maintaining the latest science-based standards in nutrition.
- As the Community policy on food safety and nutrition evolves, vocational training programs for regulators may become increasingly important, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge to oversee the dietary supplement industry and protect consumers from potential health risks associated with unsubstantiated claims and improper safety standards.
