Regulation & policy

France bans CBD edibles, European agency agrees on ‘reproductive toxicant’ classification

France has banned CBD edibles and convinced the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) that CBD should be treated as a reproductive toxicant, adding pressure on an “already fragile and highly uncertain” market.

European expansion through replication: The costly regulatory pitfall

The European Union is perceived as a single market, but in the food supplements sector, this assumption is one of the most common sources of regulatory risk across Europe.

News in brief

Indian high court grants interim stay on ashwagandha leaf ban

The Karnataka High Court in Bangalore has temporarily stayed the Indian government’s restriction on the use of ashwagandha leaves issued last month after industry stakeholders challenged the rationale behind the blanket ban.

EC clarifies Novel Food status of concentrated olive extracts

The European Commission has updated its Novel Food Catalogue to clarify the regulatory status of olive-derived ingredients. 

EFSA issues positive safety opinion on EffePharm’s NMN

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a positive safety opinion on EffePharm’s  β-NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), moving the novel food within reach of EU approval.

Across the Nutraverse: India’s ashwagandha leaf ban, prebiotics in Canada, sports nutrition opportunity

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

India bans ashwagandha leaf use in any form, industry reacts

On April 16, the Indian government issued an advisory restricting the use of ashwagandha leaves in crude or extract or any other form in food products, catching many industry stakeholders by surprise.

Across the Nutraverse: Clinical trials for active women, Andrographis in Australia, MPL in the House

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

Timeline: Is CBD heading towards a frozen market in the UK?

Recently published minutes from a closed Food Standards Agency board meeting indicate that CBD approvals will be delayed further and are unlikely to occur before the end of summer 2026, raising questions as to whether this could effectively freeze the...

Supplements 101: Biotic regulations in the European Union

Biotics are one of the fastest growing categories within the dietary supplement industry, but strict regulations within the European Union often prevent supplement companies from effectively communicating their benefits.

EU continues CBD scrutiny, rejecting 6 more novel food applications

The European Commission has terminated a backlog of cannabidiol (CBD) novel food applications for lack of data and non-compliance.

Across the Nutraverse: GOED unveils new database, Magtein in the UK, gut microbe and muscle strength

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

Magtein approved as a novel food in the UK, two years after EU approval

Magtein, a branded form of magnesium L-threonate, has been approved as a novel food in the UK by Food Standards Agency (FSA) and has secured a five-year data protection period.

New pharmacovigilance survey on natural health products to roll out globally

A new survey covering global pharmacovigilance approaches in the natural health products sector is launching soon and will be extended to over 200 industry organizations and regulatory bodies, including those in China, the United States, Europe and other...

‘No safe intake’ level for berberine: EFSA opens consultation

Experts have warned the future for berberine containing plants looks bleak after EFSA published a draft opinion questioning their safety, with a stakeholder consultation now open until May. 4.

Are the rules governing probiotics still built for a pre-microbiome era?

Europe is taking a cautious approach as it reassesses how probiotics and the microbiome should be addressed within food and health regulation, attendees heard at the recent IPA World Congress + IPA 2026 event.

Dsm-firmenich vs Mara Renewables patent dispute concludes in Court of Appeal

Dsm-firmenich and Mara Renewables Corporation have been denied their appeals in relation to a recent UK High Court battle over three claims of patent infringement.

World Customs Organization formally recognizes dietary supplements as a standalone category

Dietary supplements are set to be formally recognized as a distinct category in global trade for the first time, following a recent update to the Harmonized System by the World Customs Organization.

“Its moment has arrived”: Marula fruit ripe for global functional food success

The highly abundant South African polyphenol-rich marula fruit is being under-exploited by the functional food and supplements industry, according to the Marula Fruit Products Association.

Authorities play catch-up on caffeine energy pouch regulation

Highly caffeinated energy pouches currently exist in a regulatory grey area, with a patchwork of different rules beginning to emerge across European nations.

Longevity ingredients under the EU regulatory spotlight

When a health trend takes off, the nimble nutrition industry is adept at creating and marketing new products that fit consumers’ emerging demands. But with this can come a tendency to overlook the regulatory status of burgeoning ingredients. 

Across the Nutraverse: FDA eyes GMP, GRAS, NDI updates; EFSA’s QPS list changes; NMN expansion Down Under

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

EFSA’s QPS update opens opportunities for microbial innovation

EFSA has published its scientific opinion on the safety of several microorganisms, confirming new microbes eligible for streamlined safety assessments.

Supplements 101: Influencer marketing in Europe

As supplement brands lean more heavily on influencers, how can they stay on the right side of regulations, which laws govern creator content, and who is liable for non-compliance?

Novel Foods: Major updates on botanical assessments

The European Commission (EC) has updated its Novel Food Catalogue, offering crucial clarification on the status of several traditional botanical ingredients.

Across the Nutraverse: Ginseng adulteration, EFSA’s DHA levels, ANH sues FDA, Aker’s India strategy

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

EFSA sets ‘conservative’ safe intake level for DHA

EFSA has published its scientific opinion on the safe level of supplemental docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) following concerns that sustained use could increase the risk of spontaneous bleeding.

Scott Bass launches life sciences strategy and dispute-resolution venture

Scott Bass is launching a new firm—Scott Bass Life Sciences LLC—focused on two core offerings: high level strategic guidance for the global self-care sector and a low-cost dispute resolution model designed specifically for life sciences companies.

Postbiotics, regulation and strain optimization to headline Probiota day two

Day two at the IPA World Congress + Probiota Dublin 2026 will see experts discuss regulatory updates, postbiotic science and strain-level innovation.

‘We were fighting for our lives’: Vow Nutrition reveals ‘painful’ legal battle

The founder of sports nutrition brand Vow Nutrition has revealed the details of a damaging legal dispute that threatened both the reputation and finances of his company.

Hepatotoxicity concerns and the growing action against Garcinia cambogia

Governments across the globe are taking regulatory action against a tropical fruit that looks like a small pumpkin and whose extracts are commonly used in weight loss and bodybuilding supplements.

European supplement regulations to watch in 2026

Last year, the supplement industry continued to face prolonged regulatory delays and ongoing safety debates, with developments largely characterized by the tightening of existing measures rather than the introduction of new legislation.

European Commission assigns 34 probiotic strains ‘not novel’ status

The European Commission has updated its Novel Food Catalogue to add 34 probiotic strains considered ‘not novel’ when used in food or food supplements.

Fish oil oxidation: Experts debate the science and health impacts

Research shows that some fish oil supplements are oxidized, but is there any scientific evidence to support the perception that oxidized fish oil is less efficacious or even detrimental?

Sports nutrition in 2025: A year of shifts, signals—and where it’s heading in 2026

As 2025 draws to a close, its clear this was a pivotal year for sports and active nutrition.

Editors’ picks: Our favorite articles of 2025

We enjoy writing some articles more than others, whether it’s because of the subject, the impact for industry, the insights from commentators or other reasons. But which articles did we enjoy writing the most and why?

‘Misleading and unethical’: Brands caught claiming to ‘treat’ neurodivergent traits

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) announced several rulings against supplement brands targeting Autistic consumers and those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

‘There was never a dull moment’: 8 reasons to attend the IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026

The IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026 is just two months away! The leading event for the probiotics, prebiotics and microbiome community is a must-attend event, and let us tell you why…

Across the Nutraverse: Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals CEO convicted, Vitamin B6 in Australia, creatine

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

CRN updates vitamin K2 MK-7 intake limits

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has determined a Highest Observed Intake (HOI) level for vitamin K2-MK7 of 375 mcg/day following a review of over 40 clinical trials.

Supplements 101: Navigating novel food legislation

The European Union has one of the highest food safety standards in the world, but its novel food regulations have come under growing political and scientific scrutiny.

EFSA sets safe limit for Delta-8 THC

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has suggested a safe limit of 1 µg/kg body weight for the combined intake of delta-8 and delta-9 THC from food.

Founder urges women’s health brands to lobby against red tape

The founder of premium women’s health supplement brand Lyma signaled an opportunity for UK brands to contest health claim restrictions during last week’s Nutra Healthspan Summit.

New lipid gets EFSA novel food approval, and it cuts cholesterol

Food and drink manufacturers now have a new lipid to add to their formulation toolbox – one that boasts health and sustainability credentials

Regulation expert: EFSA’s search for ‘risk free guarantee’ from CBD leading to illegal products and loss of engagement

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a negative opinion on the use of synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) in food supplements, leading to questions over the future of the market.

UNPA’s Israelsen on the work behind an ODI 2.0 list

With new information about how FDA views key dates with drug preclusion and efforts to eradicate self-affirmed GRAS, it is time to revisit the list of pre-DSHEA or old dietary ingredients (ODI), says Loren Israelsen, founder and president of the United...

Is kratom tarnishing kava’s reputation?

Consumer priorities have undergone a major shift in recent years, with mental wellness emerging as a top concern. Given the focus on mental health, it may not be surprising that demand for functional beverages like kava are on the rise.

What can brands say about mind health supplements under EU Law?

Brands formulating mind health supplements face a legal minefield in the EU, as strict health-claim rules and fragmented national laws severely limit what they can say about key ingredients.

Supplements 101: Understanding European health claims

The European dietary supplement regulatory system can seem complex and difficult to navigate. Here, NutraIngredients+ breaks down the answers to some of the most commonly asked regulatory questions with insights from leading experts in the field.

Trend tracker: Q-commerce, ‘proteinification’, magnesium in the spotlight

Find out more about India’s quick-commerce boom, ‘proteinification’ in food and drinks, and what’s driving the popularity of magnesium supplements in Australia.