In Austria, a high rate of non-compliance has been identified as part of an operation targeting imported supplements.
The results come from a multi-agency audit campaign on dietary supplements sold on the Internet.
The operation involved the Federal Office for Consumer Health (BAVG), the Austrian Customs Office and the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES).
With the help of AGES experts, internet orders for nutritional supplements and new foods were checked. The shipments were tested at the Inzersdorf postal distribution center.
The aim was to get an overview of which food supplements are sent from countries outside the EU to consumers in Austria, to protect them from health risks.
Results of control
Of the 50 samples checked, 21 were not in accordance with European legislation and the Novel Food Regulation. One sample was hazardous to health due to the presence of mercury.
The 21 products are classified as unapproved novel foods and are therefore not allowed to be sold in the EU.
The high rate of non-compliance shows the dangers for consumers when purchasing nutritional supplements online and the need for strict controls, said Anton Reinl, director of BAVG.
Some food supplements contain lithium and their status regarding classification had to be clarified with the Federal Office for Healthcare Safety (BASG).
In Austria, approximately 450 samples are officially checked every year to ensure the safety of dietary supplements. About a third are rejected, mainly due to labeling deficiencies, such as incorrect information or prohibited health-related statements, so-called health claims.
Other reasons for complaints about dietary supplements include unauthorized ingredients, high vitamin or zinc levels and contamination with disease-causing bacteria such as Salmonella.
Import problem
Meanwhile, Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, responded to a question about combating the import of supplements containing dangerous substances.
In her parliamentary question, Catherine Griset quoted the French Agency for Food, Environment and Health and Safety at Work (ANSES) as having once again warned the public about the adverse effects caused by nutritional supplements for athletes.
In France, 154 cases of side effects were reported between 2016 and February 2024, of which 18 were considered very serious. Two deaths were recorded and four people suffered life-threatening symptoms. Some of these supplements contain banned and dangerous substances, such as anabolic steroids or sibutramine.
Griset said labels do not always indicate the presence of such substances. She added that virtually non-existent customs controls make it impossible to detect banned ingredients in these products, which are often imported.
Kyriakides said the European Commission was aware of cases of fraud involving food supplements.
She said that between January 2023 and July 2024, more than 1,000 supplement non-compliances were reported by Member State authorities within the EU Alert and Cooperation Network (ACN), two-thirds of which were reported in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. (RASFF).
This concerns 78 cases relating to the presence of unauthorized substances, such as medicines, stimulants and doping agents, and 392 relating to the detection of ingredients that are not permitted in the EU.
Kyriakides said that while the EU’s current legal framework is considered fit for purpose, its implementation and enforcement are the responsibility of member states.
The European Commission said it would continue to help countries through coordinated actions and improving communication and collaboration through ACN.
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