“Nutritional supplements are safe products with an established legal framework. Before they enter the market, a notification file must be submitted to the Federal Public Service for Health", stresses Valerie Vercammen of the professional Federation be-sup.

“Our primary source of nutrition is a healthy, varied and balanced diet. Recent food consumption surveys reveal an extremely low consumption of vegetables and fruit. The Belgian consumer is risking deficiencies in crucial nutrients". Nutritional supplements are used to supplement a normal diet. They contribute to good health, thanks to their physiological and nutritional effects. The Belgian nutritional supplement market amounts to half a billion euros. Be-sup aims to defend the credibility and image of nutritional supplements and support confidence in safe, quality products. More than 160 members represent the entire nutritional supplement chain: from innovation, creation, production, distribution and quality control, says director Valerie Vercammen, summarising the professional federation's mission.

Food consumption surveys

The latest FCS (food consumption survey) by Sciensano showed that a mere 5% of the population between 3 and 64 years of age eat enough vegetables, and 9% enough fruit. “We are eagerly awaiting the new 2024 FCS by Sciensano (the science authority for health and environment in Belgium). Poor eating habits mean that consumers risk deficiencies in essential nutrients. In which case, a nutritional supplement may be recommended.

The crisis had little impact in our sector. We explain this through the Belgian population's rational choice of certain types of nutritional supplement: especially multivitamins, vitamins and minerals, probiotics and nutritional supplements, which have a positive influence on stress.

Nutritional supplements available from pharmacist

Nutritional supplements are mostly sold in pharmacies, which have a market share of close to 70%, Vercammen tells us. Internet purchases account for 15.7% of sales: however, of that 15.7%, internet pharmacies account for 80%. 

Before a nutritional supplement can be sold it must be notified to the FPS Health.  This is the pre-market control, and it means that the product has been checked by the Belgian authorities, after which it is assigned an NUT/PL/AS number depending on whether it contains nutrients (NUT, vitamins and/or minerals), plants (PL) and/or other substances (AS). “In Belgium, nutritional supplements are regulated by 3 specific Royal decrees. The decree of 30 May 2021 applies to nutrients (vitamins and minerals): the decree of 31 August 2021 applies to plants, and the decree of 29 August applies to other substances (other than nutrients or plants, which have a nutritional or physiological effect)", Vancammen goes on to say. “The FAVV, or the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, is responsible for the post-market controls which are carried out on the premises of the producers or distributors, but also at the points of sale".

Seven commandments for the consumer

1. Eat a healthy, varied and balanced diet and do more exercise;
2. Use only products permitted in Europe (or Belgium);
3. Read the packaging and/or leaflet carefully and follow the advice;
4. Always follow the advice of your doctor or health professional;
5. If you are taking combinations of different nutritional supplements, seek advice from your doctor, pharmacist or health professional;
6. If you are taking medication or are sick, always seek advice from your treating doctor, pharmacist or health professional as regards the taking of supplements concurrently;
7. Do not put up with deficiencies, even if you seem to suffer no disadvantage from them. Make sure you are aware of any deficiencies that apply to you.  Check your blood values for vitamins and minerals annually.

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