EBF Releases Report Detailing Botanical Supplements

In light of the popularity of botanical supplements in Europe, the European Botanical Forum (EBF; Brussels) has released its first fact file detailing the nutritional role of these ingredients.

The file aims to correct some commonly-held misapprehensions, and offers an overview of aspects related to the use of these ingredients in food supplements.

It includes regulatory and practical information on their current use. It also details legislation that covers these products to ensure consumers have safe and useful products to supplement their diet.

“Advances in research and technology have meant that the health-promoting benefits of botanicals can be captured, preserved and presented in a convenient form that can be made widely available,” said Manfred Ruthsatz, EBF chairman. “The development of botanical food supplements enables an ever-growing number of consumers in our increasingly urbanised society to safely and easily use botanicals to both maintain and optimise their health.”

“Botanical food supplements and herbal medicinal products follow two distinct and separate legal frameworks, hence fully justifying their co-existence side by side,” Ruthsatz said.

“This fact file clarifies and shows that the extensive regulatory framework for botanical food supplements is fully adequate to ensure their safety and quality,” he added.

The EBF was founded in 2004 by the European food supplements sector. Its main goal is to encourage debate among industry, government and the scientific community on issues affecting botanical foods supplements.

To obtain a copy of the fact file, e-mail info@botanical-forum.be or call the EBF at (+32) 2 209 11 50.