Why supplements ARE regulated
Some companies like to scaremonger and say the supplement industry is completely unregulated. However, would the NHS recommend that the population take certain supplements if they’re unregulated? Or that highly qualified nutritionists and doctors who recommend supplements do so in an unregulated or unprofessional manner?
The truth is that supplements are regulated. In fact, the UK has very strict regulations controlling the claims, marketing, and promotion of food supplements, and rightly so. What the UK isn’t as good at is enforcing regulations on supplement companies who flagrantly break the rules, in particular online, and that is a valid criticism of regulatory bodies. That’s why we always recommend you purchase any supplements from a trusted, expert brand, which can be evidenced as being stocked and recommended in reputable physical health food stores or pharmacies where qualified staff will have vetted and recommended the supplements.
UK supplement regulations
The UK’s strict regulations around food supplements are in place to ensure consumer safety, transparency, and product efficacy. These regulations are overseen by several authoritative bodies, including the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA), the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and Trading Standards. The key regulations that food supplement companies must comply with include:
- Food Supplements Regulations 2003 – These set out labelling and composition requirements.
- General Food Law Regulation (EC) 178/2002 – Ensures food safety principles are met.
- Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (EC) 1924/2006 – Regulates the claims brands can make about the benefits of their products and individual vitamin, mineral and botanical ingredients.
- Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 – Governs labelling and transparency requirements.
- Novel Foods Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 – Applies to ingredients not commonly consumed before May 1997.
Following Brexit, the UK retained the European regulations, making them part of domestic law, ensuring that supplement companies must meet the highest standards.
Are all supplements regulated in the UK?
While supplements themselves are regulated and there are strict rules and guidelines, unfortunately, there are companies who ignore these regulations and are not compliant. The most common example of abusing regulations is making unsubstantiated claims about the benefits of an ingredient or formula. Other examples are where companies make medicinal claims about a food supplement. For example, food and food supplements are not permitted to make a claim to treat a medical condition and an adverse human condition, such as inflammation or pain. As such, anyone who claims their supplement treats inflammation is in breach of the regulations.
However, at DR.VEGAN®, we go above and beyond the legal requirements to guarantee our products are safe, effective, and compliant.
What certifications do DR.VEGAN® supplements have?
Our mission at DR.VEGAN® is to bring simplicity, transparency, and ethics to nutrition and supplements and inspire and educate people to achieve their health goals through food, diet, and supplements if and where appropriate. We are committed to the highest quality manufacturing standards, which are 3rd party tested and accredited, and being fully compliant with the regulations.
Here’s why you can be sure you’re only receiving the highest quality advice and products from DR.VEGAN®.
Manufactured in the UK in BRCGS and GMP-Certified facilities
DR.VEGAN® supplements are all manufactured in the UK in facilities which are 3rd party tested, audited and certified each year for BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety and for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), which together are the highest certification for food supplements.
Meet UK and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regulations
All our supplements and claims we make about any ingredients or our formulas are compliant with EFSA regulations.
US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved
All DR.VEGAN® supplements are manufactured in facilities approved by the US FDA, and our supplements themselves are approved by the US FDA for export to the USA. The USA has the most sophisticated and advanced supplement industry anywhere in the world. Did you know that the average person in the US consumes approximately 20 times more supplements than the average person in Europe?
Members of the Health Food Manufacturers Association (HFMA)
DR.VEGAN® is a member of the HFMA, the trade association for the food and supplement industry in the UK. The HFMA works closely with the MHRA and Department of Health and supports its members to be abreast of and ahead of the latest regulations and compliance.
Professional training
Our Practitioner Programme, run by our expert nutritionists, provides CPD (Continuous Professional Development) through regular webinars, specialist practitioner materials, and a dedicated website for professional training and education. We also provide all our practitioners with information on contraindications between any supplement ingredients and medication their clients may be taking.
The DR.VEGAN Practitioner Programme has been created to help professionals learn, assist in clinics, and provide practical help and support with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Batch testing and informed sport certified
Our Bone & Muscle Support is Informed Sport Certified, the leading global certification body for supplements taken by professional athletes, from Premiere League footballers to Olympians. Informed Sport Certification requires strict 3rd party testing of every batch produced to ensure athletes are not taking any banned substances. All other supplements have Certificates of Conformity (COC) confirming they contain what they say they do, they’re free from contaminants, and they meet the highest industry benchmarks.
Bone & Muscle Support
Transparent labelling
Each of our products provides clear and accurate information, including ingredient information, dosage information and any relevant approved health claims – all visible and clear on the back of every pouch.
Did you know that some companies hide their ingredients behind stickers on the back of their packaging, or on the bottom of their packaging, so consumers can’t easily identify the unnecessary or nasty ingredients? Discover how to check the label and learn about 7 ingredients in supplements to avoid.
Scientifically formulated by experts and evidence-based
DR.VEGAN® supplements are developed by experts and based on scientific research. You can read all about our team who develop our supplements and their experience, on our website. Our formulas only contain the highest-quality ingredients, free from any unnecessary additives and artificial fillers.
Vegan and ethical
Finally, as our name suggests, as part of our commitment to sustainability and ethics, all our products are 100% vegan and free from animal testing, aligning with modern dietary and ethical preferences.
Why this matters for consumers
With the growing popularity and choice of food supplements, it’s necessary to choose brands that comply with the regulations so you know you are getting a safe, transparent, and efficient product. Unregulated or poorly regulated supplements may contain misleading claims, hidden ingredients, or subpar formulations that fail to deliver results. If you’re at all unsure if the supplements you’re taking meet the highest regulatory and quality standards, ask the company who supplied them for their accreditations, or take them to your local health food store for advice, or simply drop us an email at team@drvegan.com and our nutritionists will be only too happy to advise.
View our range of award-winning probiotics, vitamins and supplements.
You may also enjoy reading:
