European conference “Food Supplements in Europe – Opportunities for consumer health”

The Food Supplements Directive has been a milestone in the history of European harmonisation in the food area. There have been many achievements to date. The harmonised legal framework guarantees a high level of consumer protection, equal marketing conditions and the recognition of food supplements as a means to improve the nutritional status of the people.

However, some important elements to complete the regulatory harmonisation are still missing – and new challenges as the effective control of internet sales have come up. With the directive having now been in place for 15 years, it is an important time to reflect on its original purpose and the extent to which it has achieved its objectives and should evolve over the coming years.

Thus, the conference will first discuss the state of play and experience with 15 years of the Food Supplements Directive to then particularly focus on the most significant topics currently discussed across Europe:

• Botanicals in food supplements – are solutions possible?
• Harmonised maximum levels of vitamins and minerals – are we ready?
• The role of food supplements for health and wellbeing – what do we know?

After the successful organisation of similar conferences in 2005 and 2011 the two associations, the German Federation of Food Law and Food Science (BLL) and the Food Supplements Europe, bring together once again the key players from regulatory authorities, science, industry and society.

The high-level meeting with renowned speakers will be a forum to take stock, discuss future challenges and exchange ideas and solutions – all to give fresh impetus to the discussion and pave the way to common understanding and solutions.