FOOD/
FEED

Testing the quality and effects of food

 

The spectrum of foods ranges from conventional and functional foods to food supplements, foods for special medical purposes (FSMP), probiotics and animal feed.

Conventional and functional foods and food supplements support the diet of healthy people without replacing it. The most important provision in this context is: food must be safe (Article 14 Regulation (EC) No 178/2002; Article 17 Regulation (EC) No 178/2002).

Food supplements do not require explicit authorization, but must be registered with the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL). In addition, the Food Supplements Ordinance (NemV) contains special requirements regarding composition and labelling.

Foods for special medical purposes (FSMP) are dietetic foods such as tube feeds or certain supplementary foods that are taken by (often chronically) ill patients under medical supervision. There is also an obligation to notify the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) (Article 9 of Delegated Regulation (EC) 2016/128). Further official regulations ensure compatibility.

Overall, the authorities and industry have very complex requirements for these products. In terms of testing options, methodology and general scientific approaches, the investigation of human nutrition is largely transferable to animal feed.