click and see the Guide

GUIDE
www.federsalus.it
to provide information and promote a safe
purchasing of dietary supplements over the Internet
integratori alimentari
Vitamins and minerals, probiotics, fibres,
amino acids and vegetable extracts
are among the ingredients of most food supplements, intended as a source of concentrated nutrients and other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect to help
supplement a normal diet. They can be marketed in dose forms such as capsules,
pastilles, tablets, pills, sachets, drop dispensing bottles, and other similar forms of liquids and powders which are designed to be taken
in measured small unit quantities.
Aimed to supplement the normal diet, they can be used in case
of nutritional deficiencies (due to an incorrect alimentation or at
particular times in life such as pregnancy or menopause), or
when an increase of some nutrients is necessary (for example in
case of intense sport). They may also have physiological actions,
such as rebalancing sleep or modulating stress. They don’t have
healing properties and must not be used as substitutes for a varied
and balanced diet, but they can contribute to body’s well-being when taken as specified on the label or as suggested by your doctor or pharmacist, and if combined with a
healthy life-style and physical activity.
You can buy food supplements in pharmacies, supermarkets and
drugstores, herbal shops, gyms and perfumeries. For many Italians, the
Internet has also become an attractive purchasing channel.
However, many dangers are hidden here. It may occur to purchase counterfeit products having quantities of nutrients and substances with physiological actions that are different from those indicated on the label or are
missing at all, or even products containing dangerous substances.
the Italian Association of Health
Products’ Manufacturers and Distributors
Created these 10 useful tips to promote a
knowledgeable and informed online
shopping and support those who use the
Internet both for buying dietary supplements, and as a source of information.
1
6
Check the
components
Before buying a food supplement on the web, check
that the components (functional ingredients) are
allowed by European and Italian regulations by
consulting the Ministry of Health website. On it, you can
find the lists of all authorised substances and, where
present, the relative health claims.
http://www.trovanorme.salute.gov.it/norme/renderNormsanPdf?anno=0&codLeg=48636&parte=2&serie=
http://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_pagineAree_1268_listaFile_itemName_4_file.pdf
2
Before buying a product online, check the correct
quantities of the different substances in the food
supplement. On the website of the Ministry of Health
you can find all the correct daily doses for vitamins,
minerals and other substances generally used in
dietary supplements.
http://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_pagineAree_1268_listaFile_itemName_4_file.pdf
http://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_pagineAree_1268_listaFile_itemName_5_file.pdf
3
Say no to
doping substances
EPO
Food supplements must not contain doping substances. Doping substances, dangerous for your health,
can alter the psychophysical or biological conditions of
the body. Before buying a product online, check whether the substances in it are present in the list published
on World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) website.
http://www.wada-ama.org/en/World-Anti-Doping-Program/Sports-and-Anti-Doping-Organizations/International-Standards/Prohibited-List/
4
In Italy, current regulations require the products to be
notified to the Ministry of Health. To be certain you are
buying a product that has been notified in Italy (and
therefore evaluated by the Ministry of Health), check
the national register published on the Ministry’s
website. All food supplements that favourably concluded the notification process are listed on this
register.
7
Check
the dose
Actual effects
Don’t trust miracle effects
Thoroughly check the label of the product you want to
buy, where actual physiological and/or nutritional
effects must be clearly indicated. Be particularly careful with weight control products which promise
sensational results in a short periods of time and
without sacrifice.
necessary,
5 askWhen
a doctor for advice
If you are taking other medicines it is better to consult
your doctor before buying online: some substances
used in supplements may interact with other medicines.
It is also advisable to speak with your doctor before
taking several food supplements simultaneously.
Check carefully any warnings on the label.
Who checks
the products?
Trust
the company
The national register of food supplements also
includes the list, in alphabetical order, of the Companies that notified their products to the Italian Ministry
of Health. Check the list before buying a product.
http://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_pagineAree_3668_listaFile_itemName_1_file.pdf
prices
8 andCheck
payment methods
Before releasing any sensitive data (ie. your credit card
number), check that information is provided about the
main characteristics of the product, the seller’s identity and address, the price and payment methods.
It is advisable that the website displays Company’s head
office address, the VAT registration number, a free
number to call and/or post-sales services and online
customer care.
9
Pay attention
to the delivery
Food supplements must be transported under
appropriate hygienic conditions in suitable containers, at appropriate temperatures and according to
suitable storage conditions in order be kept safe. It is
therefore very important to check transport and
delivery methods.
Remain alert
10
about possible
side effects
It is important to be aware about possible side effects:
you should not believe that products that contain
plants or other natural substances have no containdications just because they come from nature. Tell your
doctor or pharmacist about any adverse reaction to
supplements bought on the web. They will inform the
national system of plant surveillance through the
form available on the website of Higher Institute of
Health.
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