During a joint control operation by the Austrian authorities, online orders of food supplements from non-EU countries were checked. Significant deficiencies were found: 44 percent are considered harmful to health. Even ingredients such as mercury or lithium were found…
Dietary supplements are considered a lucrative business that promises people a healthier and longer life. During a joint inspection by the Austrian Customs Service (ZAÖ), the Federal Office for Consumer Health (BAVG) and AGES experts in the field of novel foods, significant deficiencies were found in food supplements from third countries.
44 percent are considered questionable
The control campaign was intended to gain an overview of food supplements from non-EU countries that are currently being supplied to Austrian consumers. The main concern was the protection of consumers from possible health risks. The results of the investigation were alarming.
The high complaint rate of 44 percent about investigated internet orders from the authorities was worrying. A total of 50 samples were checked, 21 of which were considered unmarketable in the EU and had to be objected to under food law – one of which even contained the ingredient mercury, which is dangerous to humans. Lithium could also be detected and had to be clarified with the Federal Office for Health Safety (BASG) about its classification as an unapproved drug.
International cooperation necessary
The violations of the Novel Food Regulation and the breaches of European food law above all show the “dangers for consumers when buying food supplements online” and “the need for strict controls”, as BAVG director Anton Reinl emphasizes.
The fight against illegal and health-threatening food supplements imported into the EU from third countries via internet orders requires “appropriate expertise as well as increased national and international cooperation”, says the ZAÖ.
“With the current inspection campaign, our customs and its partner organisations have once again made a valuable contribution to protecting people’s health by removing 22 finds from circulation,” said Finance Minister Brunner about the successful cooperation between the authorities.
Authorities carry out around 450 checks each year to ensure the safety of food supplements; about a third are withdrawn from the market due to labelling deficiencies or health claims.
Source: Krone
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