Food supplements are foods that, either in terms of their appearance or way of use, differ from regular foods, i.e. they are, for example, pills, capsules or herbal extracts. Food supplements include, for example, preparations intended for the intake of vitamins, minerals, fiber and fatty acids, as well as various herbal preparations. Food supplements are usually used because of some of their nutritional properties, for example as sources of vitamins, minerals or fatty acids to supplement the diet. Dietary supplements can also have a physiological or functional effect, for example on digestion. They are not meant to replace a varied diet, nor do they provide significant amounts of energy.
Advice for consumers on the use of food supplements
- Always follow the instructions for use on the labelling. Before giving a food supplement to a child, ensure its suitability for the child, for example, from a healthcare professional. A child may react to the product differently than an adult.
- Food supplements other than those containing vitamins, minerals or fatty acids are always safest to use in short-term periods, as the long-term effects of their continuous use have generally not been studied.
- Always tell your doctor about the use of the food supplement, so that the diagnosis and treatment can take into account the use of the food supplement and possible interactions between the drug and the food supplement.
- If you experience or suspect that you have experienced adverse effects from the food supplement, contact your doctor or tell the pharmacy staff about your symptoms. A medical professional records your symptoms and sends the description to the control authority. Also report adverse reactions to the food control authority in your municipality, whose task is to control food supplements.
- Only medicines can be allowed to have medicinal effects or claims related to the treatment, prevention and cure of diseases. Such claims may not be made in the packaging, presentation or advertising of food supplements and other food.
Tips for buying food supplements online
- By buying food supplements from a Finnish store, health food store or pharmacy, you know who to contact if you are not satisfied with the product. Buying from an unknown party on the internet or mail order can be a risk!
- If you order products online, find out whether the product can be considered a medicine in Finland. There are restrictions on ordering medicines through the mail. Information on ordering medicines and food supplements online can be found on the website of Customs.
At your own risk -campaign
Finnish authorities and other organizations are campaigning for safe online shopping: https://tukes.fi/en/at-your-own-risk.
Watch Tukes' "When you order online from outside the EU, you do it at your own risk" video about food supplements here (in Finnish).