Food News

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has published an informative note establishing interpretative criteria on the use of fantasy names in food supplements, particularly those that may carry medicinal connotations or suggest therapeutic effects.

AESAN warns that certain product names may imply preventive, curative, or disease-treatment properties, which are not permitted for food products. This includes explicit or implicit references to diseases, body parts, or physiological effects that could mislead consumers about the true nature of the product. In this regard, AESAN reiterates that food supplements must not be presented as medicines, even indirectly through their name or branding. This criterion applies even when the product complies with existing regulations on nutrition and health claims, as the issue lies in the potential for consumer misunderstanding caused by the product’s fantasy name. The note also establishes a transition period until January 1, 2028, after which non-compliant products may no longer be newly marketed, although those already placed on the market may continue to be sold until stocks are exhausted. This position reinforces the need for companies to review naming and labelling strategies within the food supplement sector, as it may impact both existing products and future launches.

YOUR PLUS: In AGROLAB Group laboratories, we closely monitor regulatory developments to support our clients in ensuring compliance and adapting their products to the current legal framework.

Author: Dra. Isabel Gómez, AGROLAB Iberica