Fsa

UK food supplement labelling is governed by the Food Supplements Regulations and general food labelling law. This article explains what manufacturers must disclose, what specific elements mean, and how to identify inadequate labelling.

Slimming teas divide into three functional categories: stimulant teas (caffeine/EGCG — real but modest metabolic effect ~80 kcal/day, Dulloo 1999), laxative/diuretic teas (senna, dandelion — produce water and stool loss only, no fat loss), and flavoured teas with no active weight management ingredients. EFSA has not authorised weight loss claims for any slimming tea ingredient. FSA has issued warnings on senna-based detox teas.

UK food supplement regulation under the Food Supplements Regulations 2003 (as retained EU law) and MHRA oversight. What regulation covers: permitted ingredients lists, maximum safe doses, labelling requirements, health claims under EFSA Regulation 1924/2006. What it does not cover: pre-market efficacy testing. The regulatory gap: supplements are not required to prove they work before sale — only that they are safe. This creates a market where ineffective products are legal. MHRA enforces against products making unauthorised medicinal claims.

Dietary supplements are regulated as foods in the UK, with no pre-market proof of efficacy required. This article explains the regulatory framework, evidence standards, and the specific circumstances in which supplements have genuine clinical evidence versus those for which evidence is absent.

A dietary supplement is legally defined in the UK as a food product intended to supplement the normal diet. This article explains the regulatory definition, what categories exist, how efficacy claims are evaluated, and what distinguishes evidence-based supplementation from marketing.