Vitamin and mineral supplement labels marketed in the São Paulo city: are they in compliance with the Brazilian sanitary standards?

• Autor(a) principal: Abe-Matsumoto, Lucile Tiemi
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Sampaio, Geni Rodrigues, Bastos, Deborah Helena Markowicz
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por; eng
• Título da fonte: Vigilância Sanitária em Debate
• Texto Completo: https://visaemdebate.incqs.fiocruz.br/index.php/visaemdebate/article/view/1054
• topic: Supplements; Vitamins; Labeling; Food Legislation; Suplementos; Vitaminas; Rotulagem; Legislação de Alimentos

Introduction: The information provided in supplements labels contributes to consumer guidance on choosing the most suitable product for their needs; therefore, labels with nonconformity information to health legislation can negatively affect consumer health. Objectives: To evaluate the compliance of vitamin and mineral supplements labels marketed in the São Paulo city during the 2014–2017 period. Method: A checklist was drawn up covering the main items related to the labeling, which were verified in each package: name under which the product is sold; list of ingredients; composition; net quantity; identification of origin; batch identification; expiration date; warning and guidance statements; storage instructions; use of expressions; nutrition labeling; information on the presence of gluten and permitted additives. Results: The main irregularities observed were the presence of phrases or expressions inducing the consumer to mistake (29%), the incorrect description name (15%), and statement of active components not authorized to vitamin supplements (5%). Conclusions: The results highlight the problems related to the commercialization of vitamin and mineral supplements in Brazil, due to a complex legislation difficult to interpret that makes it possible for producing companies to create excuses to circumvent the law, damaging the health of the population.