Food supplements may contain different types of ingredients, each with a specific purpose. In addition to nutrients and other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, they may include ingredients that facilitate manufacturing, contribute to stability, or improve the product's characteristics.
Understanding the differences between these ingredients helps us better interpret food supplement labels and make more informed choices.
1. What are the other ingredients in food supplements?
In a food supplement, there are ingredients that provide nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, and others that perform technological functions.
The latter may, for example, facilitate manufacturing, improve stability, help preserve certain physical characteristics, or make the product easier to use.
In some contexts, these other ingredients are referred to as excipients, although this term is more common in the pharmaceutical field. In food supplements, it is important to distinguish between the different types of ingredients, since not all excipients or other ingredients are food additives.
2. What functions do the other ingredients perform?
Ingredients used in food supplements can perform various technological functions, depending on the composition and the form of the product, such as tablets, capsules, powders, or liquids.
Among the most common functions are the following.
Bulking agents or diluents
They increase the volume of the formulation, especially when the quantity of the other ingredients is small. They help to achieve tablets or capsules of appropriate dimensions and facilitate manufacturing.
Examples: microcrystalline cellulose (E460(i)), maltodextrin, flour or rice starch, and dicalcium phosphate (E341(ii)).
Binders
They help to bind the different components of a formulation together, keeping them in the form of tablets or granules.
Examples: starch, cellulose derivatives, and povidone (E1201).
Lubricants
They reduce the adhesion of ingredients to machines and molds during manufacturing, contributing to a more uniform and efficient production.
Examples: magnesium stearate (E470b), stearic acid (E570), and sodium stearyl fumarate.
Anti-caking agents
They prevent or reduce the formation of lumps in powdered ingredients, helping to maintain their flowability and facilitating processing.
Examples: silicon dioxide (E551), calcium silicates (E552), and talc (E553b).
Disintegrants
They help tablets break down after ingestion, facilitating their disintegration.
Examples: croscarmellose sodium (E468), sodium starch glycolate, and crospovidone (E1202).
Sweeteners
They impart a sweet taste to the food supplement, which may allow for the reduction or replacement of sugar.
Examples: steviol glycosides (E960), sucralose (E955), saccharin (E954), xylitol (E967), acesulfame K (E950), and sorbitol (E420).
Colors
They impart color to the food supplement or help to standardize its appearance, and can also make it easier to distinguish between different formulations.
Examples: chlorophylls and chlorophyllins (E140), curcumin (E100), and vegetable carbon (E153).
Flavorings
They impart, modify, or reinforce the aroma and taste of a food supplement, potentially making it more pleasant to consume.
Capsule materials and coating agents
Capsule materials form the outer structure that encloses the contents, while coating agents can form a protective layer over tablets or other forms of presentation.
Examples of capsule materials: gelatin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and pullulan.
Gelatin is of animal origin. HPMC and pullulan can be used in the manufacture of capsules suitable for vegetarian or vegan products, depending on the complete composition of the product.
Acidity regulators
They control or adjust the acidity of a formulation, helping to maintain the desired pH and, in certain products, to adjust the taste.
Example: citric acid (E330).
3. What are food additives?
Not all ingredients used in the manufacture of food supplements are classified as food additives. The classification depends on the nature of the substance, the function for which it is used, and the applicable legislation.
For example, among the ingredients used to increase the volume of a formulation, microcrystalline cellulose (E460(i)) is a food additive when used for that technological purpose. Meanwhile, maltodextrin and rice flour are food ingredients and are not, in themselves, classified as food additives.
In the European Union, the safety of food additives is scientifically assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) within the scope of its powers. Authorization and conditions of use are established under the applicable European legislation.
Therefore, an additive can only be used in the food categories and under the conditions provided for in the legislation. The existence of an E number does not mean that the substance is authorized for any use or in any quantity.
On labeling, food additives are generally identified by their functional category, followed by the specific name of the additive or its E number.
Example: anti-caking agent: silicon dioxide or anti-caking agent: E 551.
Common ingredients in food supplements
The following table presents examples of ingredients that may be used in food supplements marketed in the European Union, according to the formulation and applicable legal provisions.
| Function | Ingredient — example | What it does | What to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulking agent | Microcrystalline cellulose (E460(i)), maltodextrin, or rice flour | Contributes to the volume and structure of the formulation | Not all bulking agents are food additives. |
| Lubricant | Magnesium stearate (E470b) | Reduces the adhesion of ingredients to machines during manufacturing | Its presence alone does not indicate a lack of quality. |
| Anti-caking agent | Silicon dioxide (E551) | Helps to prevent lump formation in powders | Its use depends on the formulation and applicable legal conditions. |
| Disintegrant | Croscarmellose sodium (E468) | Helps tablets to disintegrate after ingestion | Performs a technological, not nutritional, function. |
| Capsule material | Gelatin or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) | Forms the outer structure of the capsule | Gelatin is of animal origin; HPMC can be used in vegetarian or vegan capsules. |
| Sweetener | Sorbitol (E420), sucralose (E955), or acesulfame K (E950) | Imparts a sweet taste | Some sweeteners, such as polyols, may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, depending on the substance and the quantity consumed. |
| Acidity regulator | Citric acid (E330) | Adjusts the acidity of the formulation | Its function depends on the product's characteristics. |
Note: E numbers identify specific food additives. Their use is subject to the conditions established in European legislation, including authorized food categories and applicable limits, where provided.
4. Who regulates food supplement ingredients in the European Union?
The regulation of ingredients used in food supplements depends on their nature, function, and use. There is no single European legal instrument that regulates all these ingredients.
In the European Union, food supplements are considered foodstuffs and are subject to European food law. Directive 2002/46/EC establishes specific rules for these products, including provisions regarding the vitamins and minerals that may be used and their sources.
In addition to this directive, other provisions apply depending on the ingredient category and its function. For example, food additives and flavorings are subject to specific rules, while other substances with nutritional or physiological effects may be covered by different regulatory frameworks.
Among the main European legal acts are:
- Directive 2002/46/EC — Food supplements. Establishes specific rules for food supplements, including provisions regarding vitamins and minerals.
Consult Directive 2002/46/EC - Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 — Food additives. Defines the rules applicable to the authorization and use of food additives, including conditions regarding food categories.
Consult Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 - Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 — Specifications for food additives. Establishes specifications for identity and purity for the additives covered by the regulation.
Consult Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 - Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 — Flavorings. Establishes rules regarding flavorings used in foodstuffs.
Consult Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 - Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 — General food law. Establishes the general principles of food law, including safety requirements for foodstuffs and operator responsibilities.
Consult Regulation (EC) No 178/2002
To consult scientific information on the safety of food additives, you can also visit the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) website.
Visit the official EFSA website
Conclusion
In addition to nutrients and other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, food supplements may contain ingredients that facilitate manufacturing, contribute to stability, or impart certain characteristics to the product.
These ingredients can perform different functions, such as increasing volume, preventing lump formation, facilitating tablet disintegration, or improving taste. However, not all are classified as food additives, as the classification depends on the nature of the substance, its function, and the applicable legislation.
Understanding these differences helps to interpret the ingredient list and compare food supplements more informatively. The presence of an additive or excipient does not in itself mean that the product is harmful or of lower quality. To assess safety, it is necessary to consider the specific ingredient, the quantity used, the conditions of use, and the available scientific evidence.
Are food supplement additives and excipients safe?
Knowing the function of additives and excipients is only the first step. But can these ingredients have health effects? What do scientific studies say about their safety?
In the next article, we analyze the scientific evidence on some of the most commonly used ingredients in food supplements and explain what we should keep in mind when evaluating their possible health effects.
Read the next article: [Are Food Supplement Additives and Excipients Safe? What Science Says]
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