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European dietary supplement market growth and regulation

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2026-10-03 23:02 UTC → 2026-10-05 11:13 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The dietary supplement market in Europe is seeing significant growth and increased scrutiny regarding scientific efficacy and marketing practices. In Italy, the market has reached an annual value of 5 billion euros, fueled by consumer demand for products like collagen, magnesium, and ashwagandha. 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. Companies such as the Austrian-based BIOGENA attempt to ensure quality through in-house production and independent testing. In Germany, the market reached 1.9 billion euros in 2024, representing a nearly 20 percent increase from the previous year. However, this growth has been accompanied by rising criticism from consumer protection groups like Foodwatch regarding misleading advertising on social media. Legal disputes are increasing as organizations challenge unauthorized health claims, such as those related to weight loss or specific ingredients like ashwagandha, under the EU Health Claims Regulation. Recent warnings from German health authorities have highlighted significant nutritional gaps and safety risks. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) estimates that 80 to 90 percent of the population has insufficient folic acid intake. Consumer advocates have also raised concerns regarding the lack of strict legal limits on maximum dosages for certain products, particularly those marketed for children. Experts note that overconsumption of nutrients like Vitamin A can lead to liver damage and impaired bone growth, emphasizing that because supplements are legally classified as food, they do not undergo the same rigorous safety and efficacy testing as pharmaceuticals.

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