FOOD SUPPLEMENT NOTIFICATION IN PORTUGAL

Do you want to market food supplements in Portugal? At LexSupplements, a consultancy specializing in the food supplements sector, we are here to help you.

Food operators wishing to place their food supplements on the Portuguese market must notify the competent Health Authorities in advance before placing the supplements on the market.

In Portugal, the commercialization of food supplements is regulated to ensure the safety and quality of the products made available to consumers. As a result, responsible companies and operators must follow a specific notification procedure with the National Food Safety Authority, the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Products (DGVA).

However, before detailing the notification process in Portugal, we must answer the following question:

What are Food Supplements?

Food supplements are products intended to complement the normal diet, composed of nutrients or substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, fiber, plants, among others. These products do not replace a balanced diet but complement it with nutrients that may be insufficient or whose needs may increase during certain physiological processes.

Is it necessary to notify food supplements?

As previously mentioned, Portugal is one of the European Union countries where market notification is required before commercialization. This ensures that the food supplements placed on the Portuguese market comply with the safety and labeling requirements established by European and national legislation.

What are the requirements for notification?

To notify a food supplement in Portugal, the person responsible for labeling and therefore for placing the product on the market must have the following:

1. Notification Form: A specific form must be completed, which can be obtained on the website of the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Products. This form requires information about the responsible company as well as the manufacturing company. It also requires specific information about the product, such as its name, presentation form, ingredients, health or nutritional claims, etc.

2. Labeling:A label must be created in the official language, i.e., Portuguese, containing the minimum required information, which must include:
   • Product name.
   • List of ingredients.
   • Composition table or list, indicating the amount of ingredients with a nutritional or physiological effect per daily dose.
   • Instructions for use and recommended dosage.
   • Warnings.
   • Responsible party's contact information.
   • Product name and net weight.

Notification Procedure

Regarding the notification procedure, once the product responsible has the documentation outlined above, they must send the notification via the DGAV portal, providing all product details and labeling. It should be noted that Portugal does not require an administrative fee for the notification of food supplements.

Once received, the DGVA will review the notification to ensure that the product meets safety and labeling requirements, ensuring that there are no risks to consumer health.

Once the product has been notified, it can be marketed in the Portuguese market. The DGVA does not require prior authorization, but the notification must be made before the product is available to consumers. Furthermore, it is important that both the product composition and its label comply with applicable health regulations to avoid subsequent financial penalties.

If the food supplement undergoes any changes after the market notification, such as in its composition, format, design, etc., the change must also be notified following the same procedure.

It is important to note that after the notification and commercialization of the product, the DGAV conducts periodic checks to verify that the products continue to comply with regulations and do not pose risks to consumers. If any problem or risk is detected, the DGAV may order the product's withdrawal from the market.

Conclusion

The notification process for food supplements in Portugal is relatively simple, but it is necessary for the product being notified to comply with all applicable legal provisions, both regarding product composition and the mandatory information that the label must contain.

If you are interested in marketing food supplements in Portugal, contact us and we will advise you to ensure that your product complies with the applicable food regulations and is safe for consumers.