Dietary Supplements

Poland Reports Chlorpyrifos Residues in Ashwagandha Root From India and Recalls Affected Supplements

Poland has initiated a recall of Ashwagandha dietary supplements and detained imported root from India following the detection of unauthorized chlorpyrifos residues significantly exceeding legal limits. This enforcement action underscores the critical need for robust supply chain testing for botanical ingredients, as regulators increasingly apply zero-tolerance approaches to pesticide residues in health-focused consumer products.

4 Apr 2026, 11:52webgate.ec.europa.euEuropean UnionPolandIndia

Bavarian Higher Administrative Court Confirms OMEGAlife Omega-3 Product Is a Food Supplement, Not a Medicinal Product

The Bavarian Higher Administrative Court ruled in March 2026 that Omega-3 supplements with nutrient levels achievable through a standard diet are classified as food supplements, not medicinal products. This decision reinforces strict thresholds for 'functional medicinal product' status in Germany, impacting reimbursement eligibility and requiring manufacturers to demonstrate unique metabolic effects to avoid food-law restrictions.

4 Apr 2026, 10:32gesetze-bayern.deGermany

EU EFSA NDA Panel Cannot Establish Safety of CO2 Hemp Extract Novel Food Under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

EFSA has issued a negative scientific opinion on CO2 hemp extracts, concluding that safety cannot be established due to insufficient characterization and toxicological data. This decision reinforces the high evidentiary bar for cannabinoid-based novel foods, signaling continued market access delays and the need for more robust, substance-specific safety data.

1 Apr 2026, 18:44efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Poland Adopts Regulation Banning Chelidonium Majus as a Food Enrichment Substance

Poland has banned Chelidonium majus in foods and supplements effective April 2, 2026, following national health assessments. Operators must urgently reformulate products and clear inventory by May 2, 2026, to mitigate enforcement risks and ensure continued market access.

1 Apr 2026, 14:24dziennikustaw.gov.plPoland

EU Commission Terminates Novel Food Authorisation Procedure for Lithium Orotate Dihydrate (NF/2024/30250)

The European Commission has terminated the authorisation procedure for lithium orotate dihydrate as a novel food, effectively blocking its addition to the Union list. Companies should cease any plans for market entry of this substance in food or supplements, as it remains unauthorised for sale in the EU.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Terminates Novel Food Authorisation Procedure for Epimedium sagittatum (NF 2021/2383) Without Union List Update

The European Commission has terminated the novel food authorization procedure for Epimedium sagittatum, refusing its addition to the Union list of authorized ingredients. Businesses must exclude this botanical from EU product formulations and market entry strategies to avoid non-compliance with novel food regulations.

29 Mar 2026, 05:36ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Terminates Novel Food Authorisation Procedure for Ferrous Orotate Trihydrate (NF/2024/30113)

The European Commission has terminated the novel food authorisation procedure for ferrous orotate trihydrate, effectively blocking its addition to the Union list of approved substances. Companies should halt any market entry plans for this substance in the EU and review alternative iron sources for food and supplement applications.

28 Mar 2026, 20:34ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Terminates Novel Food Authorisation Procedure for Synthetic Cannabidiol (NF 2019/0935)

The European Commission has formally terminated the authorization procedure for synthetic cannabidiol as a novel food, effective March 2026. This decision reinforces the ongoing regulatory barrier for CBD products in the EU market, necessitating immediate reassessment of market access strategies and product pipelines for cannabinoid-based ingredients.

28 Mar 2026, 20:34ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Germany BVL Publishes 2nd Edition of List of Algae and English Preface to Lists of Substances

Germany’s BVL has released the 2nd edition of the "List of Algae," updating the official classification framework for algae used in food and dietary supplements. Businesses must verify that algae-based ingredients align with these updated safety and regulatory profiles to mitigate risks related to unauthorized novel foods or medicinal product classifications.

28 Mar 2026, 20:34bvl.bund.deGermany

Japan CAA Confirms 31 March 2026 Reporting Deadline and Enforcement for Functional Claims Foods

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency has confirmed a strict March 31, 2026, deadline for mandatory self-check reporting on functional claims foods, with non-compliant products facing public database flagging and enforcement actions. Companies must ensure all outstanding reports are submitted immediately to avoid administrative orders for improper labeling and the loss of market access for functional health claims.

28 Mar 2026, 20:33caa.go.jpJapan

US FDA Issues Online Advisory Letter to Divine Rx Nutrition for Disease-Claim Supplements

The FDA has issued an advisory letter to Divine Rx Nutrition for marketing supplements with unapproved disease-treatment claims, classifying them as illegal new drugs. This action signals continued aggressive enforcement against online health-claim violations, requiring firms to strictly audit digital marketing and labeling to mitigate regulatory risk.

27 Mar 2026, 18:39fda.govUnited States

US FDA Issues Online Advisory Letter to Bodynplant Over Unapproved Serious Disease Treatment Claims

The US FDA has issued an enforcement advisory against an online retailer for marketing unapproved products with claims to treat serious diseases such as cancer and HIV. This action underscores the FDA's aggressive monitoring of digital health claims, necessitating immediate audits of e-commerce marketing and labeling to mitigate enforcement and reputational risks.

27 Mar 2026, 18:39fda.govUnited States

EU and Australia Conclude Negotiations on Free Trade Agreement

The EU and Australia concluded FTA negotiations in March 2026, set to eliminate tariffs on nearly all industrial goods, including chemicals and plastics. The agreement streamlines market access through regulatory cooperation on conformity assessments and secures critical raw material supply chains for the green transition.

27 Mar 2026, 08:27policy.trade.ec.europa.euEuropean UnionAustralia

Netherlands Council Of State Refers Food Supplement–Medicine And Online Review Questions To CJEU (ECLI:NL:RVS:2026:1651)

The Dutch Council of State has referred questions to the CJEU to clarify the legal boundary between food supplements and medicinal products, specifically focusing on whether online consumer reviews can trigger a reclassification. This case will determine if retailers can be held liable under pharmaceutical laws for user-generated content and whether products clearly defined as supplements can be legally treated as medicines based solely on digital presentation.

27 Mar 2026, 08:25uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

Brazilian Chamber Working Group Backs Urgent Bills to Tighten Sanitary Control of Dietary Supplements

Brazilian lawmakers have recommended an urgent legislative procedure to tighten sanitary controls and increase penalties for dietary supplement fraud. Manufacturers should prepare for mandatory QR-code traceability, stricter online sales liability, and potential criminalization of non-compliance as Brazil shifts away from notification-based oversight.

27 Mar 2026, 07:52camara.leg.brBrazil

Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee Revises 25 March 2026 Hearing Agenda on Kratom Age and Smoke Alarm Batteries

Minnesota is progressing legislation to restrict kratom sales to adults 21+ and mandate sealed 10-year batteries for replacement smoke alarms. Businesses must prepare for stricter age-verification for botanicals by August 2026 and ensure fire safety equipment meets updated testing standards by 2027.

27 Mar 2026, 07:48senate.mnUnited States

Czech SZPI Publishes 2025 Monitoring Report on Contaminants and Pesticide Residues in Food

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) has released its 2025 monitoring report detailing contamination levels and pesticide residues across various food categories. While no new legal requirements are introduced, the data signals ongoing enforcement priorities and provides a benchmark for food business operators to assess supply chain risks and compliance with existing safety limits.

26 Mar 2026, 19:33szpi.gov.czCzechia

UK COT Publishes Papers for 31 March 2026 Meeting on Echinacea, Fluoride and Plant Extracts

The UK Committee on Toxicity (COT) is reviewing health risks associated with Echinacea, fluoride, berberine, and hydroxycitric acid during its March 2026 meeting. These assessments signal potential future restrictions or labeling requirements for botanical supplements and consumer products containing these substances in the UK and EU markets.

26 Mar 2026, 19:33cot.food.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 899 Would Add Certain Kratom Alkaloids to Schedule I

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 899 proposes to classify specific kratom alkaloids as Schedule I controlled substances and establish strict safety and labeling standards for kratom products. Manufacturers and retailers must prepare for potential criminal penalties and mandatory reformulation if products exceed alkaloid limits or contain synthetic derivatives.

26 Mar 2026, 19:17palegis.usUnited States

Idaho Senate Bill S1418 Proposes Kratom Consumer Protection and Safety Act

Idaho has introduced legislation to establish a statewide regulatory framework for kratom, mandating strict composition limits, age verification, and labeling requirements effective July 2026. The bill signals a shift toward formalized state-level oversight of botanical products, requiring processors to implement federal-grade manufacturing standards and rigorous contaminant testing to maintain market access.

26 Mar 2026, 19:07legislature.idaho.govUnited States