Food Supplements: Global Red Tape?

Food supplement global compliance - what is the red tape?

What brands need to know when launching food supplements globally?

As cosmetic brands diversify into the wellness market, launching beauty supplements has become a natural extension of their product lines. One of our recent articles explored what beauty brands need to know when venturing into this space and the compliance considerations when launching food supplements in the EU and GB. But what happens when you want to go global? Food supplements are a regulatory puzzle, and adding global into the mix - well, it does add further complexity!

What are the questions you should ask… Will my formula comply across countries? Can I have one label? Is my product still even a food supplement? Today’s article will answer all of your questions! 

1 - Decide on your desired markets

As a first step, think about what you mean by ‘global’. For food supplements, every market regulates vastly differently and global expansion isn’t something you can easily patch together later with an oversticker or a minor label tweak. Think about the markets you want to launch in whether imminently or at a later date. This is especially important at the formulation stage - an ingredient or amount that’s acceptable in one region may be restricted or banned in another. Planning ahead ensures your formula is viable across all intended markets and helps avoid the need for reformulations further down the line.

2 - Product Classification

Next, determine how your product is classified in each target market. What is considered a ‘food supplement’ in one region might be regulated as a totally different category in another meaning different requirements for ingredients, labelling and so on. 

For example, your vitamin + botanical supplement could be a food supplement in EU/GB but a Natural Health Product in Canada and a Therapeutic Good in Australia!  

3 - Ingredient Compliance

Not all ingredients are permitted in every market, and limits can vary too. Some countries maintain positive lists (ingredients you can use) while others operate on negative lists (ingredients you must avoid). Checking each country’s position on your active ingredients, additives and flavourings is essential. Certain botanicals or traditional ingredients can also trigger reclassification -  for example, pushing your product into the realm of medicines or natural health products, depending on the claims and concentration. Early ingredient screening is a critical step in avoiding regulatory pitfalls and ensuring your formulation stays within food supplement boundaries globally.

4 - Label format

Labelling requirements vary widely between countries - and they’re not just about language. Many markets enforce strict label formatting rules that are often incompatible with one another.

For example:

• The EU and GB require a nutrition declaration in a specific format.

• The US mandates a Supplement Facts Panel, with different structure and terminology.

You can’t place both on the same label without confusing consumers or violating local labelling laws. This often means you’ll need market-specific packaging or regionally adapted versions of your label to stay compliant. Being aware of this and designing your artwork with flexibility in mind from the start can help streamline this process.

5 - Translation challenge

Last but not least, translation is more than a requirement. It’s how to communicate to your target consumers, what your product does and how it differs from others on the market! Most countries will have a minimum requirement for what is required in the local language but many will require full translation from the most prominent language on pack making it very difficult to have a multi-language pack even across the EU where the basic requirements are the same. 

Where to start

For food supplement brands looking to expand to the global market, understanding and acknowledging the diversity across the regulatory landscape as well as the  compliance and operational costs are critical. 

At Bloom, we offer full support for brands looking to enter the EU and/or GB food supplement space and through our network of partners, can also help you to navigate the complexities of taking your product to other markets.

Laila Manshi