Busted: Germans Unknowingly Swallow Falsehoods About Dietary Supplements
Misconceptions Surrounding Dietary Supplements Abound - Misconceptions Persist About Dietary Supplements Consumption
In a shocking revelation, Germans are found to be swallows of falsehoods about dietary supplements. A survey by the consumer centers paints a grim picture, revealing that almost half (49%) of the surveyed believed that dietary supplements are tested for health safety before they hit the market - a widespread misconception.
Alas, this is nowhere near the truth! The Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety enlightens us in a straightforward manner on their website: "Dietary supplements do not undergo testing or approval by any public authority before they are first sold." Instead, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that these products are safe for health. In other words, it's a wild west out there! Local authorities occasionally conduct "risk-oriented spot checks."
Moreover, it turns out that these products are incredibly popular. Whether you're talking about vitamin tablets or detox capsules - they're all the rage! The survey of around 2,000 people, conducted by Zühlsdorf + Partner on behalf of Lebensmittelklarheit.de, reveals that a staggering 77% use dietary supplements regularly. Nearly a quarter (24%) consider them as a kind of natural medicine instead of mere food.
Influencers on social media platforms like Tiktok, Instagram, and others have their share of blame for promoting these questionable products with unverified health claims. Jochen Geilenkirchen, a food expert from the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv), stated in a recent declaration, "On social media, influencers often peddle dietary supplements with dubious health claims. These claims spread like wildfire, even though the alleged impacts are largely unproven."
From the perspective of consumer protection, it's high time for Germany to advocate for a licensing procedure for dietary supplements at the EU level. Additionally, maximum permitted amounts for vitamins and minerals in these products should be set. In the wise words of Geilenkirchen, "Consumers must be able to trust that dietary supplements available in Germany are safe."
- Dietary supplements
- Germany
- Billion-dollar market
- Nutrition
- Food
- Regulation
- Misinformation
- Influencers
- Safety concerns
- EU legislation
Fact Checking Corner:
- Dietary supplements are a subcategory of food products in the EU and subject to specific compositional requirements. They are not considered medicines.
- While manufacturers must notify relevant authorities of new supplements or changes to existing products, they do not require pre-market authorization.
- The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) evaluates the safety of substances used in dietary supplements and provides scientific opinions and recommendations to the government.
- Dietary supplements must be labeled as "food supplements" and health and nutrition claims must comply with strict EU regulations. Unauthorized claims are not permitted.
- Regulators actively monitor the market for compliance and occasionally conduct checks on ingredient safety, labeling, and advertising claims.
- Ongoing concerns about the safety of certain ingredients in dietary supplements persist, particularly herbal or botanical substances, due to limited scientific data.
- The BfR frequently issues warnings and recommends maximum intake levels for ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and botanicals.
- Strict regulations govern the advertising of dietary supplements to prevent misleading advertising and the use of unauthorized substances. Regulatory technology platforms can help brands navigate these complex requirements.
- In light of the misconceptions surrounding dietary supplements in Germany, there is a pressing need for stricter regulation and licensing at EU level to ensure consumer safety.
- The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) plays a crucial role in evaluating the safety of substances used in dietary supplements, providing scientific opinions and recommendations to the German government for effective health-and-wellness policies.
