Advice for Food Business Operators
- Ensure you comply with regulatory standards to protect consumers and maintain the reputation of your business. Failure to comply with applicable legislation can lead to legal repercussions and damage to your brand's reputation.
- Ensure that the caffeine used in your products is from reputable suppliers who are registered as a business with their local authority and provide fully referenced invoices and receipts.
- Provide clear dosage guidance: Ambiguity or lack of clarity in dosage instructions may result in consumers misusing your products, leading to adverse health effects or dissatisfaction. Clearly communicate recommended serving sizes and precautions to minimise the risks.
- Make sure you comply with legal labelling requirements. Ensure the caffeine dose stated on the label is accurate. EFSA’s 2015 opinion recommends ‘single doses of no more than 200mg per a single serving or over a total of 400mg a day’. Doses containing a higher recommended daily consumption level higher than 400 mg may lead to negative side effects.
- Ensure accuracy of provided measuring devices: If you sell a powdered or liquid form of a supplement, make measuring dosages accessible and accurate to consumers by providing a measuring device such as a scoop. Inaccurate or unreliable measuring devices included with your supplements can compromise consumer safety and satisfaction. Conduct regular quality control checks to verify the precision of measuring instruments and provide adequate training for staff responsible for packaging to minimize errors.
- Share information online responsibly: While online platforms (i.e. websites, commercial apps, social media etc), can be valuable for marketing and customer engagement, disseminating inaccurate or misleading information about your products can damage trust and credibility. Ensure that any information shared online is accurate, transparent, and compliant with regulations to maintain consumer confidence.
- Encourage consumer engagement with healthcare professionals: Promote responsible usage of your supplements by advising consumers to seek guidance from healthcare professionals before starting any new dietary regimen. Emphasise the importance of informed decision-making and the potential risks associated with improper usage.