01 Jun Dietary supplement labelling
The DGCCRF has been checking for compliance in dietary supplement labelling and presentation at the retail and online trading stage.
THE INVESTIGATION CONSISTED OF:
• checking that the commercialised products were covered by a mandatory preliminary marketing declaration;
• checking that the product labelling complied with the provisions of the specific regulations (decree no. 2006-352 of 20 March 2006 relating to dietary supplements) and the provisions of articles R.112-7 and following of the Consumer Regulations;
• checking the legality of the use of the nutrients and plants in the product composition;
• examining the nutritional and health claims relating to the provisions of regulation (EC) N 1924/2006, used in the presentation of the products;
• checking for compliance with the provisions relating to internet sales.
During the investigation, the oversight services were asked to pay particular attention to checks on 2 categories of dietary supplements listed as often presenting anomalies: dietary supplements based on “exotic” plants and dietary supplements presented as being intended for babies, children and teenagers.
TARGET RESULTS
127 establishments checked
443 checking actions
27 samples taken 47 warnings
6 injunctions
3 administrative police measures
5 citations
VIOLATIONS CONCERNED:
• failure to submit a preliminary marketing declaration to the DGCCRF, particularly for operators selling products on the Internet;
• the absence of certain wording on labels relating to the provisions of the Consumer Regulations;
• failure to comply with the obligations defined in the Act of 21 June 2004 relating to the digital economy and in the provisions of the Consumer Regulations relating to mail order sales;
• unauthorised use:
• of nutritional claims;
• of health claims relating to a reduced risk of illness;
• of health claims relating to children’s development and health;
• of therapeutic claims.
The results of the analyses showed up non-compliances and mainly the presence of nutrients (vitamins, minerals and other substances) in amounts lower or higher than those shown on the label.
A particular practice likely to lead to violations was frequently observed on the net. This consists of using trading sites to access sites specialising in health advice that resembles medical recommendations.
Initial article source: http://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf/letiquetage-des-complements-alimentaires
Image credits: http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2015/4/27/the-dieline-awards-2015-3rd-place-student-nutrilinx-dietary-supplements