Registration of Food Supplement in Belgium

Food supplements must be labeled with all necessary information, just like regular foods. In addition, food supplements must have the following extra information on their labels:

• The reference intake (RI); the term “food supplement”;
• A caution not to take more than the suggested daily amount;
• A warning that young children should not be able to access the products when they are being stored;
• A declaration that dietary supplements shouldn’t be utilized in place of a balanced diet;
• The product’s nutritious contents divided by the suggested daily portion (this can also be shown graphically);

When available, the name of the plant or plants in the local language; otherwise, the scientific name (for dietary supplements including plants).

The advertising and labeling of dietary supplements:

• Must not state or imply that a balanced and varied diet cannot generally provide appropriate quantities of nutrients;
• Must not attribute to the product the property of preventing, treating, or curing a human disease, or refer to such properties (the labelling must not contain any therapeutic and/or prophylactic statements).
• Food claims, both nutritional and health-related, must adhere to Regulation 1924/2006. Further details regarding claims are available on the advertising page and in the rules. The indicative list of claims that are not deemed therapeutic and/or preventive (available in Dutch and French) still applies to claims that are “on hold,” primarily those that are botanical in nature.