Dietary supplements and packaging

Apart from medicines, dietary supplements are the pharmaceuticals most often purchased by Poles. Thanks to the rapid development of the market, a wide range of these types of products are available in pharmacies and stores. They support the body’s functioning, for example, when we lack certain nutrients or during periods of decreased immunity. However, it is worth paying attention to the packaging the product is in, because packaging of health supplements must meet strict criteria.

Safety First

Packaging of dietary supplements cannot be made with random materials. Regulations concerning plastics or glass, for example, are specified within the Pharmacopoeia Poland. For other packaging, European Union law is applicable, which does not recognize health supplements as medical products, but rather as foodstuffs, therefore the packaging must meet the same requirements as those provided for the latter. Why must manufacturers comply with the abovementioned provisions? These provisions are for the protection of health supplements from potentially harmful molecular particulates that can be released from the packaging material. The supplement could not only lose its properties, but also expose patients to various types of poisoning.

Background information

The information that should be provided on the packaging of the health supplement is specified within the Regulations of the Ministry of Health. It includes regulations such as:

• use of the term dietary supplement,
• providing the recommended daily consumption dosage,
• determining the category of nutrients or substances characterizing the product,
• a warning not to exceed the daily consumption dosage,
• a statement that the product cannot be used as a substitute for a healthy diet,
• a statement that the product should be stored out of reach of children.

Only dietary supplements that contain these messages on the packaging can be allowed on the market. Manufacturers must also be wary of suggesting that even a healthy and balanced diet is not able to provide the body with the right amount of nutrients, and that dietary supplements can. The information must be presented in a clear and legible manner.

How should dietary supplements be packaged?

Manufacturers of health supplements should remember that in an era of huge competition on the market, it is worth having their products packaged in an original way. Of course, safety standards must be met, however, nothing prevents appealing illustrations that encourage purchase, from being on the packaging of supplements. The packaging should be colourful enough to draw attention when placed next to other products.