November 2023

IADSA Newsflash for November 2023

Latest news from the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplements Associations (IADSA)

IASC is an active member of IADSA, an association focused on the globalization of food supplement markets and regulatory challenges. IASC provides access to the IADSA Newsflash as a member benefit. 

The November 2023 issue covers the following:

• China has released new rules for the technical evaluation of new function claims for health foods.
• Indonesia is planning to limit sales of imported goods via e-platforms and is introducing regulations for the health supplement product industry.
• Armenia is introducing legislation to restrict the sale of dietary supplements to pharmacies.
• Belgium has issued an opinion that may ease restrictions on the use of Canarium indicum as a traditional food.
• Health authorities in Belgium have expressed concern regarding the amount of alcohol that may be consumed through the use of tinctures and extracts that contain this substance.
• The European Commission has clarified that food and food supplements are not subject to the information and reporting requirements of REACH regarding microplastics.
• The European Commission may restart its process for evaluation of health claims for botanicals.
• The EU has determined that hemp leaves are not novel foods, but some member states have expressed concern about the amounts of delta-9 and delta-8 THC that may be present when using hemp leaves to make tea for example.
• France has published a decree identifying vitamin D3 as an endocrine disruptor, despite concerns that this may cause confusion among consumers who should take supplements due to inadequate intake.
• Poland has published a list of substances prohibited for use in supplements, which includes Piper methysticum (kava).
• The UK Food Standards Agency has lowered its recommended safe intake of cannabidiol to 10 mg/day for health adults; the prior recommendation was 70 mg/day.
• Turkey has followed several other countries in banning the use of titanium dioxide as a food additive.
• New Zealand adopted the Therapeutic Products Act, which will become effective in 2026; implementing regulations will be developed in the coming years.
• Argentina has banned health claims for food supplements, which previously were allowed on a case-by-case basis.
• Chile has authorized the use of hemp derivatives in all food products, including supplements.
• Guatemala has updated its regulations regarding the identification of pharmaceutical products, including dietary supplements.

IASC members can access the full content of the Newsflash here.