21 illegal and one harmful food supplement stopped

The market for food supplements in the EU is estimated at around 36 billion euros. For 88 per cent of EU citizens, taking concentrated vitamins and minerals in pill or powder form is part of their daily morning routine. The aim of the joint inspection campaign by Austrian Customs, BAVG and AGES was to gain an overview of the food supplements currently being sent to consumers in Austria from third countries outside the EU in order to protect them from health risks. A total of 50 samples were checked, 21 had to be rejected under food law and one harmful sample had to be analysed due to mercury components.

Combating the dangers of food supplements from the internet together

Inter-agency cooperation increases the effectiveness of the fight against illegal and harmful food supplements and is another valuable contribution to protecting consumer health. The very high complaint rate of 44 per cent in the internet orders examined due to illegal or harmful ingredients such as lithium or mercury and violations of the Novel Food Regulation shows the dangers for consumers when buying food supplements online and the need for strict controls. The risk-based control of global trade via the internet and the fight against illegal online trade in particular requires appropriate expertise and increased national and international co-operation.

44 per cent complaint rate, products containing mercury and lithium intercepted

During the campaign period, a total of 50 consignments were checked at the postal distribution centre in Inzersdorf, which were sold and delivered to Austria as food supplements via the Internet. The AGES experts found violations of European food law and the Novel Food Regulation: one food supplement contained a designated mercury component, which was analysed in the AGES laboratories. 21 products are to be assessed as unauthorised novel foods and are therefore also not marketable in the EU. Some of the food supplements contained lithium and had to be clarified with the Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG) regarding their classification as unauthorised medicinal products. In total, 44 per cent of the samples tested had to be rejected. If the FOPH determines on the basis of the customs inspection that the food supplement in question may not be delivered to the recipient, it is returned under customs supervision.

Internet control is being continuously expanded and official co-operation strengthened

The Federal Office of Consumer Health (BAVG) is the competent authority in Austria for the official control of goods that are subject to the Food and Consumer Protection Act (e.g. children's toys, food supplements, cosmetics) and were ordered via the Internet in foreign webshops and arrive in Austria by mail order. The co-operation between the Austrian Customs Office (ZAÖ) and BAVG as well as the close cooperation with the AGES Internet Unit will further strengthen consumer protection in official Internet controls. Further information on official controls in the area of foreign webshops can be found on the BAVG website, further information on food supplements can be found on the AGES website.

In the EU, the same regulations apply to food supplements as to foodstuffs

In Austria, around 450 samples are officially inspected each year to ensure the safety of food supplements. Approximately one third of the samples are objected to mainly due to labelling deficiencies such as incorrect information or non-permitted health claims - see results in the Food Safety Report. However, there are also frequent deviations in the composition or quantity of ingredients that must be categorised as harmful to consumer health: a massive excess of vitamins or zinc, excessive levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or contamination with pathogenic bacteria such as salmonella regularly lead to market withdrawal. Other reasons for complaints about food supplements are unauthorised ingredients that are legally classified as novel foods and can therefore only be marketed after authorisation. There are also recurring questions regarding the differentiation from active pharmaceutical ingredients that require authorisation. In turn, an import licence from the Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG) is required for the import of medicinal products.

Images of the focus campaign of the press release "BMF/Customs/BAVG/AGES: Successful control campaign on food supplements from the Internet" can be used free of charge for reporting purposes if "Copyright: AGES" is cited.