In the BfR survey, more than three-quarters of respondents said they had taken food supplements in the past 12 months. While these may contain micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, they may also contain other substances with nutritional or physiological effects. The latter are also referred to as “other substances”. These include, for example, fatty acids and amino acids, but also “botanicals”, i.e. plant substances or extracts.
As popular as food supplements are, they are unnecessary for most consumers: according to another article in the Federal Health Gazette in which scientists from the BfR were also involved, consumption data shows that, with a few exceptions, the population in Germany consumes sufficient amounts of micronutrients as part of their normal diet. The article also states that there is no evidence of any benefit in taking food supplements if a good supply of micronutrients is already available. However, regular intake of high-dose supplements does increase the risk of adverse health effects, especially if they contain “other substances” that are currently insufficiently regulated in the EU. The authors explain that food supplements are legally classified as food and that the manufacturer or distributor is responsible for ensuring it is safe for consumption. There is no official testing or approval process. Food safety authorities carry out random checks to ensure compliance with legal requirements for products on the market. This poses a major challenge for consumer protection, not least because food supplements are increasingly being sold online and online shops that are not based in Germany, for example, cannot be monitored by the food monitoring authorities of the German federal states.
Another problem with food supplements is that it is not always easy to distinguish them from medicinal products, as further articles in this special issue illustrate. Many consumers, partly due to the similar dosage form, e.g. tablets, mistakenly assume that food supplements have demonstrable effects akin to medicines. However, such supplements are explicitly not intended to prevent or cure diseases or alleviate symptoms.
Finally, the special issue also addresses the benefits of food supplements, for example in situations where nutrient intake is insufficient. This can be the case with certain diets, such as vitamin B12 for vegans, or in certain circumstances, such as during pregnancy and breastfeeding, when iodine requirements are increased. As the articles clarify, whether supplementation with certain micronutrients is advisable depends on life circumstances and individual health status. This decision should be made in consultation with a medical practitioner and not independently.
References:
Federal Health Gazette/Bundesgesundheitsblatt – Mikronährstoffe zwischen Nutzen und Risiko, Volume 68, Issue 11, 2025
Obstfeld, H, Lohmann M: Food supplement in the context of social media: results of a survey on use and perception in Germany. Federal Health Gazette (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-025-04133-2
Bendadani C, Bakhiya N, Breitweg-Lehmann E, Ehlers A, Hirsch-Ernst KI, Liebscher B, Weißenborn A: Food supplements and enriched food: benefits, risks and measures for consumer protection. Federal Health Gazette (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-025-04134-1
Further information on food supplements
Information page on micronutrients and related topics
https://www.microco.info/
Frequently Asked Questions on food supplements
https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/release/frequently-asked-questions-on-food-supplements/
Food supplements for children – (not) a good idea?!
https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/release/food-supplements-for-children-not-a-good-idea/
About the BfR
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent public health institution within the portfolio of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). The BfR advises the Federal Government and the States (‘Laender’) on questions of food, feed, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts independent research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.