Food supplement

The DGAL launches the new French database Ingredients and notification platform Compl’alim for the food supplements: The beta versions just opened!

The DGAL, through Synadiet, organized 2 webinars (on April 23 and 29, 2024) for manufacturers in the food supplements sector. These 2 webinars aimed to present the next steps to come in 2024 concerning the change of administration and therefore of the notification system for food supplements on the French market. During these webinars, the DGAL explicitly stated its desire to build the new tool in a scalable manner and in collaboration with the various feedback from manufacturers. Thus, the DGAL was able to announce the opening of the beta versions of the ingredients database and the new Compl’Alim notification platform, before their official launches planned for the 2024 school year (September). Until September, Téléicare remains the official platform for notifying your food supplements, but will become obsolete upon the official launch of Compl’Alim.

Vitafoods Europe 2024: Geneva Palexpo, May 14-16

Vitafoods Europe 2024 will be held at the Palexpo in Geneva on May 14, 15 and 16 and also online from May 7. Every year, Vitafoods is where the nutraceutical industry comes together to create and showcase innovation, meet new partners and connect with business leaders in Europe.

New algae species authorized in foods or in food supplements in the EU

The use of algae biomass in foods is a growing market in Europe. On February 2024,a list of more than 20 new algae species has been added to the Novel Food catalogue. When there is the evidence of a traditional use of algae in any EU Member State before 15 May 1997, their use as foods and food supplements is not considered as novel and is not subject to a long and costly pre-market approval procedure according to the Novel Food Regulation. A list of around 50 algae species considered as not novel is now available in the EU Novel Food catalogue.

New guideline for probiotics and prebiotics from WGO and ISAPP

The World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) recently released an updated guideline document, aimed at helping gastroenterologists and other physicians understand the appropriate clinical applications of probiotics or prebiotics. The guideline was created with input from experts in gastroenterology, probiotics and prebiotics, with efforts co-led by experts from the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). To create these guidelines, experts comprehensively evaluated the evidence from randomized, controlled trials for gastrointestinal conditions, including which specific prebiotic strain or substance showed a positive effect. The guidelines present a list of conditions for which there is positive evidence for the effectiveness of probiotics and/or prebiotics.

The use of the term probiotic in France, Italy and Spain: a comparative analysis

Since the beginning of 2023, it is possible to use the word probiotic on food supplements in France. Here follows a comparison with the situation in Italy and in Spain.

Alphitobius diaperinus: the European Commission authorizes an additional edible insect species

Under a new Regulation, lesser mealworm larvae enter the list of authorized novel foods.

« Probiotic » term can now be used on food supplements in France

Background: in the Guidance on the  implementation of Regulation N° 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims: conclusions of the standing Committee on the food chain and animal health published in 2007, the probiotic term is considered as a health claim because it refers to the implied description or indication of a functionality on health.

Nutritional and health claims made by food supplements on internet market places

On September 19th 2022, the DGCCRF published the results of its survey on nutrition and health claims on food supplements performed on internet market places on 2020. The DGCCRF makes the following observation, “regulations on Nutrition and health claims that are still too often overlooked”.

Monacolins from red yeast rice: new restrictions

The conditions of use of the ingredient are now set by Regulation (EU) 2022/860.

Focus on the EHPM model for setting maximum and minimum amounts of vitamins and minerals in food supplements

The calculation model was published and presented to the Commission in December 2021.

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