Food supplements are foodstuffs, not therapeutic products. They are subject to food legislation. In order for a foodstuff to be sold as a food supplement, specific requirements must be met.
Food supplements are intended to supplement the normal diet: with vitamins, minerals or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect. They are sold in concentrated form and in measured small quantities, e.g. tablets, capsules, powder pouches, liquid ampoules or drop dispensing bottles. They are not intended for the prevention or treatment of a human disease. They are also not to be advertised as such.
Food supplements are usually not necessary for healthy people who eat a varied and balanced diet. They cannot replace a varied diet either. A balanced and varied diet already provides the body with all essential nutrients. See recommendations and information.
The temporary intake of a food supplement may be useful if individual nutrients are not ingested in sufficient quantities. This tends to affect certain population groups, e.g. women who want to have children, pregnant women or the elderly. See life phases and types of diet (in French).
Self-supervision
Food supplements generally do not require authorisation (exception: novel foods, GMOs, unlisted health claims). This means that the manufacturer, importer and distributor is responsible for ensuring that their food supplements are safe. As part of the self-supervision, they must ensure that all relevant provisions of the food legislation are met. The responsible cantonal enforcement authority checks compliance with the legal requirements on a random basis. The food company is also obliged to report to it. However, notification of food supplements is not required in Switzerland.
Legal basis
The provisions specific to food supplements are described in the FDHA's Ordinance on Food Supplements (FoodSO). For vitamins, minerals and certain other substances, conditions are set for their use, e.g. maximum quantities. As part of the revision, which came into force on 1 July 2020, the maximum amounts for vitamins and minerals were updated using a new maximum amount model based on current scientific knowledge.
Certain substances may not be used in food supplements: If they are of toxicological concern or have a pharmacological effect as reserved for medicinal products according to the legal definition. Some substances are listed in the non-exhaustive list of prohibited substances (Annex 4 AVMO) and plants (Annex 1 VFO). The substances used often have no history of use as a safe food/food supplement before 15 May 1997 in the EU and in Switzerland and require authorisation as novel foods.
Food supplements must contain one or more characteristic substances with a nutritional or physiological effect. In some cases, they must be distinguished from other food categories, such as enriched drinks or food for people with special nutritional needs (e.g. food for athletes, food for special medical purposes).
With few exceptions, the general regulations on the labelling of foods also apply to food supplements. In addition, there are specific labelling requirements for food supplements (e.g. warnings). Health claims can be used if they are listed in Annex 14 of the FDHA's Ordinance on Information on Foodstuffs (FoodIO) and the conditions are met or if they are approved by the FDHA.
Delimitation
Food supplements often fall into the grey area between foods and therapeutic products. They must not have any pharmacological effect. They are also not to be presented as medicines or advertised as indications for the cure, alleviation or prevention of diseases. For a correct classification of a product, an overall assessment is always required (composition, dosage, labelling, purpose, presentation, advertising, etc.). The delimitation report provides further information on the delimitation between foodstuffs and medicinal products.
Internet trade
The legal regulations also apply to products that are sold online. In particular, caution is required with food supplements that are offered on foreign websites or websites without a full address, advertised with exaggerated promises ("miracle drugs") or not provided in an official language. Further information: Responsibility for safe foodstuffs and Buying food online.
More information
In detail
Information letters
2021/7.1 Information letter (PDF, 279 kB, 30.01.2024)Self-supervision of non-regulated other substances in food supplement
Toleranzen für die Nährwertdeklaration
2021/4.1 Lettre d’information (PDF, 231 kB, 02.06.2021)Utilisation des substances catégories plantes, champignons, lichens et algues et des préparations qui en sont issues en tant que denrées alimentaires ou leurs ingrédients
2020/2 Informationsschreiben: (PDF, 288 kB, 24.06.2020)Conditions de commercialisation de champignons à titre de denrées alimentaires
Links
Legislation
Last modification 16.06.2025
