The rules relating to the production and use of food supplements are defined in CouncilDirective 2002/46/EC, implemented by the Italian Legislative Decree 21 May 2004, n. 169. These ministerial guidelines are intended to ensure the free and controlled movement of these products by clarifying their composition and labelling.

Regarding the definition of food supplements, we read:

"Food supplements are intended to complement the common diet and constitute a concentrated source of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, or of other substances having a nutritional or physiological effect, in particular, but not exclusively, amino acids, essential fatty acids, fibres and extracts of plant origin, both mono- and multi-compound, in pre-dispensed forms"

This statement confirms not only the nutritional and physiological action of food supplements, but also extends the concept of nutritional substance to plant extracts. The use of the latter is regulated by the Ministerial Decree dated 9 July 2012, under the heading "Herbal substances and preparations".

This simple detail is also of enormous benefit to consumers. In addition, we remark that, if microencapsulated, plant extracts and oils have a stability decidedly high, while maintaining a concentration of about 85%.

The guidelines also specify that food supplements are available in different forms such as: capsules, tablets, sachets and vials.

The marketing of food supplements is also subject to the procedures of label control by the Ministry of Health. These guidelines include:

• The obligation to report the maximum levels of intake allowed for vitamins and minerals.
• For probiotics and prebiotics, the provisions must be reported at the physiological level.
• Obligation to report provisions for other substances having a nutritional or physiological effect (except plant extracts).

Finally, before being placed on the market, food supplements must have undergone safety tests. In the case of a new product or supplement, its use requires prior authorisation at European level.