Dietary supplement market reaches 5 billion euros in Italy

The dietary supplement market in Italy has reached a value of 5 billion euros annually, driven by consumer interest in products such as collagen, magnesium, ashwagandha, and creatine. While these products are widely available in pharmacies and online, they are not classified as medicines and are not required to demonstrate therapeutic efficacy before sale. Instead, they must adhere to safety standards and often use generic wellness claims.

Scientific evidence for these supplements varies significantly. Some molecules are backed by decades of research, while others rely on preliminary studies that may be industry-funded. For instance, hydrolyzed collagen is highly popular for anti-aging and joint health, though its scientific effectiveness remains a subject of debate.

In the broader European market, companies like the Austrian-based BIOGENA emphasize quality through in-house production and independent testing. BIOGENA, which operates in several countries including Germany, the UK, and the US, produces up to 1.5 billion capsules annually at its facility near Salzburg. To ensure quality, the company utilizes independent lot analysis by the German institute LEFO.