Dietary Supplements – How to Ensure Consumer Safety in 2025

Dietary supplements have gained enormous popularity as a support for the daily diet. According to the definition contained in the Food and Nutrition Safety Act, they are foodstuffs containing concentrated nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, plant extracts or probiotics. Due to their dynamic development and growing consumer awareness, regulations regarding their safety have undergone significant changes.

Current legal regulations

Currently, dietary supplements in Poland and the European Union are subject to the Regulation (EU) 2019/1381 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which constitute new rules on the transparency of scientific research. Each manufacturer must comply with data on hazardous ingredients that enter the market.

Additionally, in 2022, the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) tightened the control of control supplements for circulation. Containing requirements for quality tests, especially in the field of microbiological use and the presence of metals.

Dietary Supplements vs. Medicines – Key Differences

New guidelines for quality testing

According to Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915, all supplements must undergo detailed analyses including:

• Microbiological contamination, in accordance with PN-EN ISO standards.
• Content of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury (permissible levels specified in Regulation 2023/915).
• Stability of active ingredients – in 2024, new requirements were introduced for storage and labelling of the date of minimum durability.

Probiotics in Dietary Supplements – New Challenges

Probiotics are an increasingly popular ingredient in dietary supplements, but their effectiveness depends on the right number of live microorganisms. In 2023, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) introduced guidelines specifying the minimum number of colony-forming units (CFU) that must be maintained throughout the shelf life.

How to ensure the safety of supplements?

• Regular quality control – testing of raw materials and finished products.
• Stability monitoring – tests to confirm that ingredients retain their activity.
• Transparency of information for consumers – reliable product labeling and access to research results.

Summary

Dietary supplements are an important part of many people's diets, but their safety depends on rigorous testing and control. New regulations introduced in recent years improve the quality of available products, increasing consumer protection and minimizing the risks associated with inappropriate use of supplements.