Food supplements: the key regulatory news of October 2026
October 2026 was a busy month for food supplement regulation. Three trends stand out: tighter rules on communication (claims, influencers, environmental arguments), structuring decisions on the Novel Food status of ingredients, and new FDA expectations for brands selling in the United States. Here is what to remember, and what it changes for your range.
- Influencers: Food Supplements Europe reminds brands that they share responsibility for their creators’ content (29 October).
- Since 27 September 2026, Directive (EU) 2024/825 bans generic environmental claims.
- SAMe is no longer considered a Novel Food; a red yeast rice strain without monacolin becomes one in Italy.
- Netherlands: draft restriction on ashwagandha and 11 other plants, comments open until 7 December 2026.
- United States: the FDA publishes recommendations on gummy manufacturing and its final NDI guidance.
1. Claims and communication: vigilance steps up
Influencers: Food Supplements Europe publishes its guidelines (29 October). The European federation reminds brands that they share responsibility for the content their creators publish. It recommends clearly disclosing every partnership, using authorised claims only, and setting out in a written contract the permitted claims and the content approval process. It advises against any campaign targeting minors. An EUFIC analysis found 474 potentially misleading posts out of more than 540,000.
Environmental arguments: Directive (EU) 2024/825 has applied since 27 September 2026. Generic environmental claims, uncertified sustainability labels and carbon neutrality promises based on offsetting are now banned. Unlike health claims, there is no positive list: every argument must be substantiated for the specific element it refers to. A leaf icon combined with the word “natural” can be enough to create an environmental claim.
EFSA: negative opinion on a satiety claim (27 October). EFSA rejected the claim filed for Appethyl, a spinach leaf extract. For the authority, prolonged satiety measured by appetite scores is not, on its own, a beneficial physiological effect. A strong signal for weight management formulas.
United Kingdom: the ASA flags more than 86% of health ads analysed as risky (5 October). The UK advertising authority screened 309,000 ads. A trend that European authorities are watching closely.
2. Ingredients and Novel Food: decisions that open and close doors
SAMe is no longer considered a Novel Food (20 October). Member States reclassified SAMe (disulfate tosylate form) as a “not novel” ingredient in food supplements. National limits still apply. The decision shows the value of solid documentation on history of consumption.
Red yeast rice: a new hurdle (28 October). The Italian Ministry of Health classified as a Novel Food a red yeast rice strain with no detectable monacolin K. Meanwhile, the European Commission notified the WTO in March 2026 of its draft ban on monacolins in food supplements, with a 12-month transition period announced.
Launch of the New Foods RegLab (15 October). This platform aims to help prepare Novel Food dossiers, whose assessment currently takes about two and a half years. Applications are open until 30 November 2026.
EFSA sets its scientific priorities (7 October). The authority wants to adapt its assessments to precision fermentation and the microbiome, and to use artificial intelligence to check dossiers.
3. Plants and levels: timelines to watch
Netherlands: draft restriction on ashwagandha (6 October). The Dutch draft would ban ashwagandha leaf and Huperzia serrata, and require warnings for 11 plants, including turmeric, ginkgo, green tea and valerian. Comments can be submitted until 7 December 2026.
EU maximum levels for vitamins and minerals: no consultation in 2026 (22 October). The Commission said the Q3 2026 date shown on its page was an error, without giving a new timeline. In France, the decree of 9 May 2006 on nutrients remains the reference.
4. United States: the FDA clarifies its expectations
Gummies: the FDA publishes its recommendations (7 October). In the Journal of Dietary Supplements, FDA experts detail the critical manufacturing points: choice of gelling agent, control of acidity, temperature and humidity, suitable test methods and limiting overages.
New ingredients: final guidance on NDI notifications (19 October). The FDA finalises its expectations on the identity and safety of new dietary ingredients: composition, process, specifications, contaminants. It uses about 25 years of broad use as the benchmark when history of consumption is the only basis for safety.
What it changes for your brand
For the topics from early autumn (PPWR packaging, HAD plants), see also our early October regulatory update.
How Irati Production supports you
At Irati Production, regulation is part of every project, from formulation to market launch. Our teams support brands on ingredient choice, authorised claims and labelling for France, Europe and the United States.
- Gelatin-free pectin-based gummies, capsules, tablets, powders and functional drinks
- Made in Saumur, France
- ISO 22000 certified site, registered with the FDA
- Claims and labelling checked by our regulatory team
Our answers on October 2026 regulation
Which health claims can be used on a food supplement?
Only those listed in the EU register of authorised claims, under their conditions of use, in line with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Can the word “natural” still be used on packaging?
Yes, if it accurately describes the product. Combined with an image or an environmental message, it can become an environmental claim, which must then be substantiated under Directive (EU) 2024/825.
Is a brand responsible for what its influencers publish?
Yes, within the limits of its reasonable control, according to the guidelines published by Food Supplements Europe on 29 October 2026.
Do you need authorisation to sell gummies in the United States?
Food supplements do not need prior approval there, but the manufacturing site must be registered with the FDA, and any new ingredient may require an NDI notification.
Sources: Food Supplements Europe, EFSA, European Commission, FDA, Italian Ministry of Health, ASA, via NutraIngredients and HBW Insight (October 2026). This information is general and does not replace a regulatory review of your product.