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Aug 11, 2025 - Foods

Dietary supplements in trend - common misconceptions

The new issue of the journal Food & Hygiene and a press release from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) report on common misconceptions about dietary supplements. Among other things, some consumers assume that products containing vitamins and minerals as well as other ingredients are over-the-counter drugs.

According to a survey commissioned by the BfR, more than three-quarters of respondents had taken dietary supplements within a year. Many turn to vitamins, minerals, or herbal preparations to ostensibly treat health ailments or even diseases. A widespread misconception is the assumption that dietary supplements are tested medicines. Legally, they are considered food. They are intended to supplement the diet. They are not intended to be used for treatments like a medication. Therefore, for example, no disease-related claims may be made.

Vitamins and minerals carry out important functions in the body. A deficiency or shortage of them can cause health impairments. However, those who eat a balanced diet usually do not require additional supplements. Excessive intake of vitamins and minerals can lead to unwanted, harmful health effects. To know the dose of the used vitamins and minerals, it is important to have them checked regularly.

In our Tentamus laboratories, we regularly conduct microbiological and chemical analyses of dietary supplements, such as for vitamins, minerals, and some secondary plant compounds, as well as for contaminants and pesticides, and advise our customers on these matters. For any questions, our customer advisors are very happy to assist you.

Source:

• Food & Hygiene; Issue 7 (2025), Behr's Verlag.
• Press release from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) dated 17.06.2025 https://www.bfr.bund.de/presseinformation/zwischen-hype-und-halbwissen-haeufige-irrtuemer-rund-um-nahrungsergaenzungsmittel