Authorities from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru met with scientific and regulatory policy experts on Sep. 4 and 5 in Bogota, Colombia, in order to address regulatory changes and scientific trends currently underway on food supplements and their impact on markets.

Speakers presented and debated about the main regulatory developments on the different countries. Topics on the agenda ranged from food supplements definition, safety on the use of ingredients in supplements and criteria to establish maximum levels of vitamins and minerals, to regulation and substantiation on the use of health and nutrition claims, adequate good manufacturing practice requirements for food supplements and systems for market access and monitoring of supplements on the market.

“This event was a unique platform that brought together authorities, academics and representatives from the supplements sector and during which the basis to continue with the cooperation and organization of scientific technical events with the aim of continuing the work on key issues around food supplements regulations have been set, and where ALANUR and IADSA are positioned as sources of information and guidance on the dietary supplements framework,” said David Pineda Ereño, regulatory affairs director of IADSA.

“We are delighted to offer this space for communication and exchange of information on regulatory and scientific issues around food supplements, which promotes the cooperation in the work in the region,” said Dr. Tatiana Pires, chair of ALANUR. “ALANUR, with the support of IADSA, will continue working on the approximation of criteria to serve as a reference point for food supplement regulations across Latin America,” she added.

In this sense, ALANUR and IADSA will continue providing technical support to authorities, and also through the organization of events that permit the flow of information for building responsible practices through the promotion of science, quality and safety in relation to food supplements.