EBF Publishes Quality Guide for Botanical Food Supplements

BRUSSELSThe European Botanical Forum (EBF) published "Quality Guide for Botanical Food Supplements," a publication promoting best practices in the production of food supplements containing botanicals and botanical preparations. The guide includes mandatory requirements from EU legislation, as well as recommended requirements based on best practices.

While the mandatory requirements are obligatory, the guide's recommended requirements should be incorporated into the production operations where appropriate and practical, as determined by the manufacturer," said Sindy Staessen, chair of EBF. "Food supplements have to comply with all relevant aspects of food legislation in terms of composition, manufacture and control, and this publication has paid particular attention to these requirements. It is intended to provide guidelines for the promotion of best practice in the production of botanical food supplements sold in the EU."

The 120-page guide was compiled with technical assistance of experts from EBF member companies and associations, and builds on existing quality guidelines for supplement manufacturing. It includes sections on quality management, food premises and equipment, personnel and training, hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP), safety, product and process development, manufacture, recovery or re-working of materials, warehousing, transport and distribution, documentation complaints procedures, as well as product recall and emergency procedures, self inspections and laboratory testing.