Recommendations on maximum levels for certain vitamins and minerals in food supplements

The Polish authorities have recently published recommendations for maximum levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements for adults, including warnings.

The individual recommendations are as follows:

• Vitamin D: up to 2000 IU (50 μg) / day (for adults)
  Recommended labelling particulars: 'Before use, it is advisable to carry out a 25-hydroxy-vitamin D blood test and to consult a doctor or pharmacist'.
• Vitamin C: up to 1000 mg / day (for adults)
  Recommended warning for products containing high doses of vitamin C: "Not suitable for persons who have a tendency to form kidney stones or who suffer from kidney stones".
• Vitamin A: up to 800 μg Retinol equivalent (RE) / day (for adults), beta-carotene up to 7 mg / day.
• Folic acid: up to 600 μg / day (for adults), up to 800 μg for pregnant women Recommended warning notice for dietary supplements with 800 μg: "Pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking this dietary supplement.
• Niacin: nicotinic acid amines: up to 830 mg / day (for adults), nicotinic acid: up to 16 mg / day (for adults)
• Manganese: up to 1.8 mg / day (for adults)
• Zinc: up to 15 mg / day (for adults)

For further information please click the link below (information in Polish language).

AGROLAB POLSKA together with AGROLAB LUFA offer vitamin, mineral and trace element analysis in food supplements to ensure that your product complies with the recommendations. It is also important to check the composition at the end of the minimum shelf life, as vitamins are sensitive and may degrade over time. Some producers tend to compensate for these losses by an overdosing which bears the risk to exceed the maximum levels.

Author: Frank Mörsberger