Import of food supplements I
Many myths are associated with importing food supplements, which raise doubts when starting a new business or expanding products into other markets.
"When I import a food supplement into Portugal, I simply notify the Portuguese Food Authority, and it becomes legal throughout the European Union."
Myth. Although there are general European regulations for foodstuffs, we must consider the internal regulations of each of the countries where we intend to sell our products. For example, if I intend to sell food supplements in Germany, the product must comply with German regulations, the label must be in German, and it must be notified to the German food authority. If I intend to sell food supplements in Spain, the product must comply with Spanish regulations, the label must be in Spanish, and it must be notified to the Spanish food authority. And so on, for each of the countries where we intend to sell.
"The importer is always responsible for the compliance of imported dietary supplements."
True. The food business operator responsible for the product, whenever the product is imported from a third country, will be the importer. This operator is responsible for the product information; its name will appear on the product label, and is responsible for placing it on the market before it begins to be sold. It must also inform the competent authority of this marketing.
"Food supplements in capsule form cannot be imported with the same legal status because they are considered medicinal products in the EU."
Myth. We must always consider the legislation in force in each EU member state. However, taking Portuguese legislation into account, food supplements can be marketed in dosage forms in capsules, tablets, pills, and other similar forms, powder sachets, liquid ampoules, dropper bottles, and other similar liquid or powder forms.
"Minor changes in wording do not require further notification."
Myth. Whenever food supplements are marketed for the first time in the European Union, the importer must notify the competent authority. Any change in the composition, manufacture, distribution, placing on the market or labelling of a food supplement must be communicated, within 10 working days of its occurrence, to the competent authority.