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Food supplement-related risks in the light of internet and RASFF data
Monika Wróbel-Harmas1, Magdalena Krysińska2, Jacek Postupolski3
1Department of Social Communication and Marketing.
Przeglad Epidemiologiczny
|April 8, 2015
Summary
Consumers need better education on food supplements, as online information often lacks expert warnings about risks and safe purchasing. Seeking advice from healthcare professionals is crucial for reliable details.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Consumer Health
- Regulatory Affairs
Background:
- Internet searches for "supplements" yield vast information, but often lack critical safety data.
- Consumers frequently rely on online sources for information regarding food supplements.
- Regulatory data, such as from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), is not readily accessible or prominent in consumer-facing online content.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the availability and quality of information on food supplements presented to consumers online.
- To compare online information with data from legal acts and the RASFF database.
- To identify gaps in consumer education regarding the safe use of food supplements.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of legal acts and the RASFF database.
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of search results from Google.pl using terms like "supplement" and "supplements".
- Focus on the first page of search results, reflecting typical user search behavior.
Main Results:
- "Supplements" and "supplement" are highly searched terms online.
- Manufacturer information and basic product descriptions are common online.
- Expert articles detailing risks, therapeutic uses, or undeclared substances were infrequently found.
- No warnings were identified regarding the importance of purchasing supplements from verified sources.
Conclusions:
- Systemic consumer education on the responsible use of food supplements is necessary.
- An alert system for adverse reactions to food supplements and novel foods should be considered.
- Consumers should consult healthcare professionals (physicians, dieticians) for reliable information on supplement composition and effects.
- Utilizing diverse sources, including health portals with expert articles, is advisable for obtaining comprehensive information.
