Food Safety

Quarter of checked food supplements for joint nutrition misled consumers about actual ingredients

Published: 25 October 2024

Foto: Shutterstock

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) publishes results of an inspection activity focused on food supplements intended for joint nutrition. An overview of all non-compliant and compliant samples is available on the Food Pillory website.

As a part of the inspection, inspectors took 16 samples of food supplements for assessment into the laboratory. A total of 4 samples failed to comply with the regulatory requirements as the laboratory analysis confirmed lower levels of chondroitin sulphate or glucosamine than the levels stated on the labelling. The operators in question have thus infringed Article 7(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 indicating misleading information about the food, in particular its characteristics and composition.

CAFIA will initiate an administrative proceeding to impose a fine on the persons inspected.

CAFIA inspectors carried out the inspection activity because of the large offer of food supplements intended for joint nutrition in the market network. The food supplements offered differ in the contained substances, the form and method of the use and price. Consumers choose food supplements with regard to the content of the declared ingredients and their expected effects. The sale of these products is often supported, inter alia, by targeted advertising.

In a similarly targeted inspection activity carried out in 2023, the laboratory assessment confirmed unsatisfactory parameters in 6 out of 12 samples taken.

Article by: Marek Bartík, Media Communication Officer

Source: Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority | Quarter of checked food supplements for joint nutrition misled consumers about actual ingredients