For many people today, dietary supplements have become an important part of their health and wellness routine. On a daily basis, they contribute to a whole range of physical, functional and restorative improvements for body and mind. While dietary supplements are a welcome aid to all their users, they require a certain expertise and assurance, both in their development and in their production. This is what we’ve come to expect of them, which is why we’re taking a closer look at some of the essential elements that should guide consumers in their choices.
Food supplements: standards and certifications to match their quality
When you want to help, relieve or protect your body and its functioning, it’s natural to want to turn to high-performance solutions that contribute to your well-being, and this is typically the promise of food supplements. But all these guarantees cannot be covered without a set of prerequisites, standards and best practices. These include :
- HACCP;
- ISO 22000;
- Good manufacturing practices for food supplement manufacturers;
- the European label for manufacturers and distributors of organic products.
These are key indicators of the skills and attention devoted to the production of food supplements. They reflect the level of quality of the products manufactured, and the excellence sought by manufacturers. They are the foundation of trust on which consumers who want to improve their physical and mental quality of life can rely.
HACCP: a method of space origin
Introduced in the 60s by engineers from the U.S. space agency (NASA), HACCP is part of the assurance expected in food safety. As with American astronauts, HACCP, transcribed in Europe and France under the name of “plan de maîtrise sanitaire”, ensures strict compliance with food hygiene standards.
The ISO 22000 food safety standard
This standard, which leads to certification for those who comply with it, consists of a total and continuous control of risks and controls linked to the production of foodstuffs intended for the consumer. These standards have been established to minimize the potential hazards that can surround what we ingest. In particular, they facilitate the movement of manufactured foodstuffs from one country to another.
Good manufacturing practice for food supplement manufacturers
This document helps manufacturers of food supplements in Europe to understand the European legislative framework within which they can operate. In this way, supplements bearing this label provide reassuring information to those who turn to food supplements to improve their nutrition and physiology at different levels and points.
European label for the manufacture and distribution of products of organic origin
This is a European Union label that informs consumers about the origin of the components used in the manufacture of the food supplements they find on the market. This label is only affixed to products certified as originating from a European organic farming or production chain. This label is authenticated by the presence of the identification number of the control body that has validated the organic conditions and the origin of the ingredients.
The presence of all these elements is likely to offer sufficient guarantees to users of food supplements, enabling them to consume them with complete peace of mind and without risk.