Compliance and Quality Assurance
As a company, we choose to have all our food supplements manufactured in the UK. UK manufacturing is tightly regulated under food safety laws, hygiene standards, and labelling requirements that are enforced by local authorities and national agencies. Every stage of production - from ingredient sourcing to final packaging - is subject to inspection and detailed record-keeping.
Despite the already strict raft of regulations around us, we also choose to go the extra mile when it comes to quality and accountability. These are the additional quality controls and inspections we have chosen to comply with: VitaBright supplements are made in facilities that are GMP certified and BRCGS AA+ accredited, imposing stricter controls and testing than the legal requirements. We have our ingredients independently lab tested to make sure they’re free from heavy metals. We’re members of the Made in Britain organisation, and the Soil Association which issues organic certificates.
What food supplement regulations do your products comply with?
A lot! In the UK, food supplements are required to be regulated as foods and are subject to the provisions of general food law. The law: The Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003
Here are the laws governing food supplements in the UK:
- Food Supplements Regulations 2003 require that food supplements must be safe, not misleading, and clearly labelled. Active ingredients—such as vitamins and minerals—must be declared with their quantities and nutrient reference values (NRVs), ensuring that consumers know exactly what they're taking. In short, the label must reflect what is actually in the product, not just what was intended to be in it.
- General Food Law Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 requires that all food, including supplements, is safe for human consumption, traceable, and honestly presented. It specifically prohibits any misleading information on labels, especially concerning the composition, origin, or health benefits of the product.
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers requires all nutrition-related information - including the amount of each vitamin or mineral in a supplement - to be accurate and verifiable.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for overseeing food safety and hygiene in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In terms of enforcement, we’re subject to inspections and investigations by Trading Standards, Environmental Health Officers, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). These authorities have the power to request batch records, production logs, and Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) to confirm that the amounts declared on the label are actually present in the finished product. These powerful authorities can issue fines, mandate recalls, or prohibit further sale in case of violations.
Are VitaBright supplements made in Britain?
Yes, our supplements are made in Great Britain.
We are registered members of Made in Britain and authorised to use their logo on our product labels.
We adhere to the Made in Britain Code of Conduct which exists to maintain the prestige and trust of all companies endorsed by this respected organisation. This code includes maintaining our accreditations and exacting production standards, keeping our supply chain in Britain as much as possible, treating our staff well and choosing to do business with other British companies whenever possible.
A page features VitaBright products on the Made in Britain website to highlight our trusted range of British supplements.
The “Made in Britain” Membership Logo is an official mark awarded by the Made in Britain organisation, a not-for-profit body that promotes British manufacturing. To use the logo, companies must prove that their products are substantially manufactured or assembled in the UK, following clear criteria. The scheme is designed to protect the integrity of the “Made in Britain” claim and promote transparency for consumers.
When used on a label without the membership logo, “Made in Britain” can be legally vague. Under UK rules, a product can say “Made in Britain” if it has undergone its last substantial change in the UK, even if the ingredients, packaging, or processing were mostly done abroad. Many consumers see “Made in Britain” and assume the entire product was produced domestically to British standards, from raw materials to finished goods. But without the Made in Britain membership logo, there’s no formal check on how much of the product is truly British-made.
Are your supplements made in a facility that follows GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)?
Yes, all our supplements are manufactured in UK facilities that follow Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
GMP is a quality assurance standard that ensures products are consistently produced and controlled to meet strict safety, hygiene, and quality standards. It covers every aspect of production, from sourcing raw materials and staff training to equipment maintenance, record-keeping, and final product testing. GMP-certified facilities are regularly audited to confirm they follow procedures that prevent contamination, errors, or inconsistencies.
This means you can trust that every supplement is made under tightly controlled conditions and complies with both UK regulations and industry best practices.
Why are there so many claims that UK food supplements are unregulated?
We think there is confusion online between the UK and the USA.
Some UK websites and influencers have learned about the regulatory environment in America and assume that this applies equally to the UK. In reality, the difference between the regulatory environment in the UK compared to the USA is stark.
The UK supplement industry operates in a far more tightly regulated and consistently enforced environment than in the USA.
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UK food supplements are subject to laws that govern ingredient restrictions, health claim controls, traceability, and robust labelling laws, all enforced proactively by several public authorities.
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USA food supplements are largely self-regulated and official bodies react to consumer complaints rather than doing proactive enforcement.
With fewer legal safeguards, the better American supplement companies seek to reassure consumers by getting voluntary accreditations for their products from organisations like NSF, USP or others. These organisations verify, amongst other things, that what’s printed on the label is really in the bottle. This has led to customers in the UK asking for similar third-party certifications from British companies, not realising that they are already protected by a raft of UK laws which are rigidly and proactively enforced by government agencies.
If you scroll to the bottom of the page, we give a side-by-side comparison of Supplement Industry Regulation in the United Kingdom vs the United States.
Testing and Verification
Product and ingredient testing at multiple stages in the sourcing and production process is part of the regulatory framework under which our UK-made food supplements are produced. Below we answer some of the frequently asked questions about who tests what, when, and the paper trail this creates for each product.
What do you mean by “purity testing”? Does it mean the capsule is 100% just the main ingredient?
That’s a common misconception! “Purity testing” doesn’t mean the capsule is made of 100% pure vitamin K, turmeric, or any other particular active ingredient. It also doesn’t mean having the capsules analysed to check they contain the right ingredients - just like a bakery doesn’t have its bread analysed to double check that it really does contain flour.
Purity testing means the ingredients have been tested to make sure they’re free from unwanted contaminants. This includes checking that levels of things like heavy metals, moulds, yeast, bacteria, and pesticide residues are well within safe, UK legally permitted limits (which are very close to zero). It's about ensuring the ingredient is clean and safe, not chemically isolated. Think of it like checking your apple is free from worms - not expecting it to be made entirely of vitamin C.
How do I know each serving contains the doses you say it does? Are your supplements tested for potency to confirm the amount of each active ingredient?
Absolutely! When we say a supplement contains, for example, 100 mcg of vitamin K, this isn’t just a guess, it’s a legally regulated claim based on documented measurements and batch testing. Making a false statement about this would in fact be classed as a Food Crime!
In terms of enforcement, we’re subject to inspections and investigations by Trading Standards, Environmental Health Officers, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). These authorities have the power to request batch records, production logs, and Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) to confirm that the amounts declared on the label are actually present in the finished product. These powerful authorities can issue fines, mandate recalls, or prohibit further sale if a supplement is found to be mislabelled or inaccurately dosed.
In the USA, some food supplement companies reassure customers with test certificates from third party organisations, because of the lax safety legislation over there. This has confused some UK consumers into thinking they need to ask for the same type of certificates for UK made products, not understanding that they are already protected by a raft of legislation and checks by the UK authorities.
On top of all this, we choose to have our supplements made in GMP-certified facilities, where every batch is tested by the manufacturer to ensure it contains exactly what it should. GMP provides a structured system for ensuring that all ingredients are measured precisely, equipment is calibrated, and every production step is recorded and traceable. GMP-certified facilities are regularly audited, either by external certification bodies (e.g. BRCGS, ISO, or MHRA for borderline products) or through unannounced inspections. These audits check that dosing, hygiene, record-keeping, and testing all meet industry standards.
What purity tests are carried out on your products? Do you test for contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, or microbes?
Our product ingredients are tested several times at different stages in sourcing and production.
Suppliers’ tests: Our ingredient suppliers carry out their own in-house tests which, by law, check for total aerobic microbes, total yeast and mould, and specifically for e-coli and salmonella. They often include additional tests which may be relevant for individual ingredients. It’s relevant to test fish oil for mercury, for example, and it’s relevant to test herbal crops for pesticide residue if they don’t already have an organic certification. But it’s not relevant to carry out these analyses on an amino acid supplement that’s been synthesised in a laboratory.
Third-party tests: We also have the ingredients double-checked for heavy metals by an independent laboratory. We currently use Campden BRI for our independent testing. Campden BRI is a UK company which operates in 80 countries, providing analysis services to food and supplement manufacturers. We independently test sample batches, not every batch.
GMP manufacturing tests: The next step is for the ingredients to be delivered to the GMP facilities which will enclose them in their vegetable capsules or press them into tablets. Being GMP certified means that they double check the paper trail of previous tests and then carry out further tests themselves. These include checking microbe and mould levels to ensure that products have not been contaminated or deteriorated in storage or transit.
Are your products batch-tested or just tested on the formula once?
Yes, every batch of our supplements is tested with care and precision.
Our trusted ingredient suppliers, along with the GMP-certified facilities that manufacture our capsules and tablets, carry out thorough testing on every single batch they produce. We only work with highly reputable, accredited suppliers who are regularly audited by official bodies (including unannounced spot-checks) to ensure the highest standards are met. This gives us complete confidence that the testing is done properly, consistently, and to the level our customers deserve.
Who performs your testing, an in-house lab or an independent third party?
Both. In-house analysts at the ingredient suppliers and at the GMP facilities test for microbes, moulds and other relevant contaminants. An independent lab does heavy metals testing.
Do you have a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for your products or their ingredients?
Yes, we obtain a CoA from our supplier for every ingredient or supplement.
A Certificate of Analysis is a detailed document issued by a laboratory, often accompanying a raw ingredient or finished supplement batch. It shows the actual results of specific tests carried out on that batch.
Its purpose is to verify the safety of the product or ingredient. It confirms that the product complies with a raft of legal regulations regulating, amongst other things, the maximum safe levels of pesticide residues and microbes in foods, and ingredient origins. It lists the results of the relevant tests carried out, which may include Total Aerobic Microbial Count, Total Yeast and Mould Count, the level of e. coli and salmonella.
The large manufacturers, which we buy from, have an in-house laboratory and a team of scientists to conduct these tests, though some smaller companies may outsource them.
GMP procedures also include a raft of double-checks on the source materials. Staff at the facilities check that the raw ingredients comply with all regulations, including that their origin is traceable. They repeat batch tests to make sure ingredients are free from microbes and other contaminants.
Are the testing methods validated or accredited to any official standards?
Yes, they are are accredited to ISO 17025.
We use independent testing laboratories, and suppliers whose in-house testing laboratories, are accredited to ISO 17025. This accreditation proves that they produce valid, reliable, and traceable test results. There are reported in the CoAs for our products and in additional certificates of analyses.
Do your manufacturing processes comply with international accreditation standards?
Yes. Our suppliers are accredited to the prestigious BRCGS AA+ grade, which places them among the top tier of global food manufacturers. They are also accredited to global GMP standards. In addition, our suppliers hold various ISO accreditations.
The BRCGS Global Standard Food Safety is the leading food safety certification programme. It is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) scheme, and the most widely accepted by specifiers, brands and retailers. BRCGS Auditors evaluate hazard control systems such as HACCP, site hygiene, traceability procedures, supplier management, quality systems, senior management oversight, and overall compliance with BRCGS standards.
To achieve a BRCGS AA+ grade, manufacturers must undergo an unannounced audit and meet the highest standards set by the British Retail Consortium Global Standards (BRCGS) for food safety or manufacturing. This involves rigorous assessment of their hazard control systems, traceability, hygiene practices, quality management, staff training, supplier approval, and legal compliance. The “AA” grade is the top score possible, and the “+” indicates that it was earned during a surprise inspection, demonstrating exceptional day-to-day standards, not just preparation for a scheduled audit. It's a strong mark of trust and reliability in the industry.
Our suppliers also hold various ISO accreditations, typically:
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ISO 9001 for quality management
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ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety
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ISO 17020 which ensures they carry out hygiene and factory inspections impartially and competently
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ISO 17025 for testing laboratories, confirming they produce valid, reliable, and traceable test results which, for example, are reported in the CoAs.
Can I see the lab test results for the batch I received?
Absolutely. If you’ve purchased one of our products, you’re welcome to request the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for that specific item.
Just contact our customer service team with your batch number and they’ll be happy to help. Please note that supplier names will be redacted for confidentiality. We no longer publish CoAs online or respond to speculative requests, as we’ve had a few too many “curious competitors” asking for details. But genuine customers can always expect full transparency.
Do you test for bioavailability markers?
No, we do not. This would be clinical medical research, not supplement quality control.
Bioavailability is the proportion of an active ingredient that enters the bloodstream (or reaches the target tissue) in an active form after ingestion. A supplement may contain 100 mg of a nutrient, but if only 10 mg is absorbed and available to the body, its bioavailability is 10%.
Testing for bioavailability markers refers to measuring specific indicators in biological samples like blood, plasma, or urine, that show whether and how much of a nutrient, compound, or active ingredient is actually absorbed and used by the body after taking a supplement. These results are variable from person to person, and within the same person over time, since they depend on what else has been eaten, and other health factors. This means that, when talking about the bioavailability of an ingredient, scientists are always talking about an average, or a range.
Our product descriptions occasionally make claims about the bioavailability of certain nutrients in a supplement. These are based on researched averages for the relevant nutrient in the specific chemical form that we are using, not on clinical tests carried out on our own branded supplement.
Transparency and Traceability
UK food supplement manufacturing is governed by a framework of regulations including the Food Safety Act 1990, General Food Law Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, and the Food Supplements Regulations 2003. These laws require robust quality control systems, accurate labelling, full traceability of ingredients, and regular inspections by local authorities and certifying bodies.
Our UK-based production gives us the ability to maintain close oversight, ensure full regulatory compliance, and respond quickly to any changes in legislation or best practice.
Where are your products manufactured?
VitaBright food supplements are proudly made and bottled in the UK, and certified as such through our membership of the Made in Britain organisation.
Manufacturing in the UK allows us to offer our customers supplements they can trust, produced under legally enforced standards of safety, hygiene, and transparency, with ingredients that are carefully selected, responsibly sourced, and clearly labelled.
All our manufacturing partners follow Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and are regularly audited to ensure full compliance with UK food safety laws, hygiene regulations, and quality assurance protocols. This means every stage of production, from blending and encapsulation to bottling and labelling, is carried out to the highest standards of safety, consistency, and traceability.
Where do you source your ingredients from?
All of our ingredients are made and sourced from the UK unless otherwise stated on the label.
Some of the natural raw materials we use, such as botanical extracts or animal derived ingredients, may be sourced from overseas, depending on where each crop or compound grows best. For example, ashwagandha root extract and turmeric come from Asia. In such cases, it is clearly stated on the label that these ingredients originate from outside the UK.
All imported ingredients are subject to the same rigorous quality checks and traceability as UK-sourced materials - but we go a step further. We choose to source only from trusted, carefully vetted suppliers who meet our own high standards. This includes verification of conformity to UK and EU regulations, and where relevant, organic certification by the Soil Association. It’s all part of our commitment to going the extra mile for quality, transparency, and doing things properly.
Are you able to trace each batch of your product back to its origin?
Yes, we have full batch traceability for every product we manufacture.
Each batch is assigned a unique lot number that allows us to trace it all the way back through the production process—from the finished capsule or tablet to the raw ingredients and their suppliers. This traceability is a key part of our compliance with UK food law and GMP standards, and ensures that we can verify the origin, quality, and safety of every ingredient used.
Is each product labelled with a batch number and expiry date?
Yes. Every batch number and expiry date is printed on the packaging, usually on the bottom of the bottle.
This is in accordance with The Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
Can you provide a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for each supplement?
Yes. If you’ve purchased one of our products, our customer service team can provide the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for that specific item on request.
Just get in touch with your order details and we’ll be happy to help. We no longer publish CoCs online or respond to speculative enquiries, as we’ve had a few too many “mystery shoppers” from rival brands casting their nets. But if you’re a real customer, you’ll always get the transparency you deserve.
Labelling and What’s Actually in the Product
The UK food industry is governed by regulations focused on ingredient purity, labelling, and manufacturing standards to ensure food safety and consumer protection. Key legislation includes the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Information to Consumers Regulation 2011.
These regulations cover areas such as ingredient declarations, allergen information, nutritional labelling, and manufacturing practices.
What information do you put on your supplement labels?
We follow all the UK and EU regulations when creating our supplement labels.
Supplement labelling is strictly regulated to make sure that consumers are given accurate information. In accordance with the Food Information to Consumers Regulation (FIC) 1169/2011, we state the following on our labels:
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Mandatory Information: This includes the name of the food, allergen information, storage conditions and date labelling, and nutritional information.
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Allergen Information: This is crucial for consumers with allergies and must be clearly displayed, especially for pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) food.
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Nutritional Information: This often includes details on energy, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt per 100g or 100ml.
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Ingredient Listing: Ingredients must be listed in descending order of weight.
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QUID (Quantitative Ingredient Declarations): This declaration is required for certain ingredients, especially those that are prominent in the product.
How do I know the ingredients on the label are what’s really in the capsules?
We really value questions like this, because accuracy and trust are at the heart of what we do.
All our supplements are made in UK GMP-certified facilities, where every batch is tested during production to ensure the correct amount of each ingredient goes into every capsule or tablet. It’s a bit like baking: you measure the ingredients precisely, follow a strict recipe, and check the results before serving. GMP is the food supplement industry’s version of that - only with clipboards, audits, and lab tests.
We don’t send our products off for third-party double-checks after they’re made. This is not because we’re cutting corners, but because we trust the systems we’re using. When you buy a supermarket sandwich, would you ask them for a certificate from an independent laboratory to prove there’s no germs in it, or that it really contains cheese? Or do you trust the supplier to follow food law and do it right?
In the UK, supplement law is just as real and enforceable. Under regulations like the Food Supplements Regulations 2003 and General Food Law (EC) No 178/2002, it's a serious offence to mislabel products or misstate what they contain. This is enforced by Trading Standards and the Food Standards Agency, with powers to issue fines, demand recalls, or take legal action.
We also keep full documentation for every batch, including a Certificate of Conformity (which confirms the product meets all legal standards) and a Certificate of Analysis (which shows actual test results for things like ingredient levels, heavy metals, and microbiological safety). We're happy to share these with customers.
Do your labels reflect the active ingredient content at manufacture or at expiry?
Both. Our labels state the amount of active ingredient at the time of manufacture, which is standard practice across the food supplements industry. However, the ingredients are guaranteed to remain the same through to the expiry date, provided they are stored in accordance with the instructions on the label.
Is the amount of active ingredient based on the raw material or the standardised extract?
Both. For any supplement containing herbal extracts, we give both of these figures on the label.
Our aim is to make it as easy as possible for people to understand what they are buying.
For example:
- On our Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM label, you will see: Ginger Root - 500mg, (provided by 25 mg of 20:1 extract)
- On our Ashwagandha label, you will see: Organic Ashwagandha Root - 5500mg, Provided by KSM-66® Ashwagandha Root Extract (10:1) 550 mg
Are any fillers, binders, or other additives declared clearly on the label?
Yes, all these ingredients are listed on our labels.
We pride ourselves on formulating clean supplements with minimal additives, but some of our products inevitably need additional ingredients to keep them fresh or bind them into tablets.
We label our supplements in accordance with The Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 (and equivalent regulations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). Ingredients must be listed in order of weight, with the main ingredient first according to the amounts that were used to make the food supplement. This means all additives are included in this list, in the appropriate order.
For extra certainty, we have our labels written and approved by an agency that specialises in food supplement labelling regulations. They compose our ingredients lists, based on the ingredient specifications from the suppliers - and this of course includes correct naming of any additives used. They also write the cautions section of our labels and double check that every other part of the label complies with the regulations.
Are all allergens, if present, disclosed on the label?
Yes, all allergens are highlighted in bold on our labels.
We avoid using the 14 common allergens in our products unless they are a fundamental ingredient, such as the fish in marine collagen or crustaceans in glucosamine.
In accordance with UK food law, there is a list of the 14 allergens which must be declared and highlighted as allergens by food law. This also applies to ingredients, additives and any other substances which may be present in the final product. We highlight these in bold font on the ingredients of the relevant products. In other words, if you do not see these allergens on the label, you can rest assured they are not in the product.
The 14 allergens are:
- celery
- cereals containing gluten (such as wheat, rye, barley, and oats)
- crustaceans (such as prawns, crabs and lobsters)
- eggs
- fish
- lupin
- milk
- molluscs (such as mussels and oysters)
- mustard
- peanuts
- sesame
- soybeans
- sulphur dioxide and sulphites (if the sulphur dioxide and sulphites are at a concentration of more than ten parts per million)
- tree nuts (such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts)
Of course, people may be allergic to almost any food or ingredient, not just those on this list. We list every single ingredient in our supplements. If you have any concerns about ingredients and want extra information about a specific product, please contact our customer service team.
For supplements that you label as vegan, is that independently verified?
No, we do not independently verify that our vegan products are vegan.
We know our vegan products are truly vegan because we require detailed product specifications from all our suppliers, confirming the origin and composition of every ingredient.
There is no routine lab test that can reliably detect whether a product is vegan. Why? There’s no single marker for “animal origin”. Many synthetic or plant-based molecules are chemically identical to animal-derived versions. Traces of animal DNA or protein may be below detection limits, or absent altogether.
The product specifications from our suppliers clearly state whether an ingredient is of plant-based, mineral, or synthetic origin, and confirm that no animal-derived substances or animal testing are involved in the manufacturing process. This allows us to verify the vegan status of each component, from active ingredients to capsule shells and carriers, so we can offer our customers complete transparency and confidence.
When products carry the trademark of the UK Vegan Society, this simply means that the society has checked their paperwork. We prefer doing this ourselves for every batch that we order.
How do I know your organic products really are organic?
Any product that we label as organic has been certified by the Soil Association.
As a company, we hold a Soil Association Certificate of Registration. You can see our VitaBright Soil Association Certificate on the Soil Association website.
On the label of our organic products, you will see the Soil Association logo and the European green leaf logo. The certifying body's code number must also be printed. In our case, that is GB-ORG-05.
We check that all ingredients supplied to us as organic have this same certification. The Soil Association provides certification for organic food products, and this certification is typically issued annually to producers and processors. It is based on inspections and audits that ensure compliance with UK and EU organic regulations. It is product-specific, meaning every certified organic product must be listed and approved under the license holder's certification. The licence covers all stages of the supply chain, from farm to packaging.
Appendix: Supplement Industry Regulation in the UK vs. the USA
Relevant Legislation
UK
- Food Supplements Regulations 2003
- Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (retained)
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on health claims (retained)
- Food Safety Act 1990
USA
- Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) 1994
- Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA)
- FTC Act (for marketing claims)
Regulatory Bodies & Enforcement
UK
- Food Standards Agency (FSA)
- Trading Standards
- Local Environmental Health Officers
- Enforcement by Trading Standards, local authorities, and FSA
- Authorities have powers to recall or ban products for minor infringements
USA
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- FDA acts after a complaint is made (e.g., adulteration, false labelling, safety concerns)
Ingredient Traceability
UK
- Mandatory under General Food Law (EC 178/2002)
- Full traceability from raw ingredient to final product
- Must be documented and available on request
USA
- No legal requirement for full supply chain traceability
- Traceability varies by company
- Some documentation required, but auditing is minimal
Purity Testing
UK
- Expected under GMP and food law
- Includes microbiological tests, heavy metals, pesticide residues
- Must comply with legal limits
USA
- No mandatory pre-market purity testing
- Manufacturers responsible for safety
- Testing only enforced if problems arise
Permitted Ingredients
UK
- Only vitamins and minerals listed in Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC may be used
- Other substances may be restricted or require “novel food” approval
USA
- Far more lenient
- Many ingredients allowed unless specifically banned by the FDA. Ingredients used may include artificial colours, growth hormones, capsule/tablet fillers, and other additives banned in the EU for health risks (e.g., cancer, birth defects)
- “New dietary ingredients” must be notified, but enforcement is weak
Labelling
UK
- Strict requirements: Ingredients by weight, NRV percentages, Batch number, Legal name and address, Allergen declaration
- Health claims tightly controlled
USA
- More flexible requirements: Must list all ingredients, Nutrition facts or supplement facts panel
- Structure/function claims must carry disclaimer: “This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA...”
Health Claims
UK
- Tightly controlled
- Must be authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- MHRA can remove products from sale for unauthorised claims
USA
- Structure/function claims widely used
- Do not require FDA approval, but Must not be misleading
Third-Party Certification
UK
- Not mandatory
- Some manufacturers voluntarily use schemes such as: Soil Association (organic), Vegan Society, BRCGS
USA
- Entirely voluntary
- Some brands use: NSF, USP, Informed-Sport
- Many brands opt out as there is no requirement
