I. Understanding the market of Dad and risks
IA What are dietary supplements and why are they so popular?
The dietary supplements, or biologically active additives, are concentrates of natural or identical to natural biologically active substances intended for direct intake with food or introduction into food products. They are designed to replenish the deficiency of nutrients, maintain the functions of the body and increase its resistance to adverse environmental factors.
The popularity of dietary supplements is due to several factors:
- A growing interest in a healthy lifestyle: People are increasingly aware of the importance of nutrition and its effect on their health. Bades are perceived as a simple and affordable way to improve the diet and support the body.
- Insufficient consumption of nutrients with food: Modern foods are often subjected to intensive processing, which reduces their nutritional value. Bades are considered as a way to replenish this deficit.
- Prevention of diseases: Many dietary supplements are positioned as means of preventing various diseases, which attracts people who seek to maintain health.
- Self -medication: The availability of information about dietary supplements and their alleged properties stimulates self -medication, often without consulting a doctor.
- Aggressive marketing: Dietary supplement manufacturers are actively promoting their products using various marketing strategies, including advertising, bloggers recommendations and participation in exhibitions.
IB risks associated with poor -quality and fake dietary supplement
Despite the potential advantages, the dietary supplement market is associated with serious risks associated with poor -quality and fake products. These risks include:
- Lack of declared ingredients: Fake dietary supplements may not contain active ingredients indicated on the label, which makes them useless.
- Insufficient amount of active ingredients: Even if the dietary supplement contains the declared ingredients, their concentration may be insufficient to achieve the desired effect.
- The presence of harmful impurities: Poor -quality dietary supplements may contain harmful impurities, such as heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria and toxins.
- Not declared ingredients: Fake dietary supplements may contain ingredients that are not indicated on the label that can be dangerous to health. It can be both synthetic analogues and medicines that should not be present in the dietary supplement.
- Non -compliance with production conditions: Poorive dietary supplements can be carried out in unsanitary conditions, which increases the risk of product pollution.
- Incorrect marking: Poorive dietary supplements may have incorrect labeling, misleading consumers regarding the composition, dosage and contraindications.
- Lack of quality control: The production of low -quality dietary supplements is often not subjected to proper quality control, which increases the risk of dangerous products on the market.
- Interaction with drugs: Some dietary supplements can interact with drugs, which can lead to undesirable side effects or reducing treatment effectiveness.
- False promises: Many dietary supplements exaggerate the effectiveness of their products, promising a cure for serious diseases, which misleads consumers.
- Addiction: Some dietary supplements containing psychoactive substances can cause addiction.
- Damage to the reputation of conscientious manufacturers: Poor and fake dietary supplements undermine consumer trust in the dietary supplement market as a whole, damaging the reputation of conscientious manufacturers.
IC scale of the problem of fakes in the market
The problem of fakes in the dietary supplement market is serious and widespread. The exact numbers are difficult to evaluate, since not all cases are identified and recorded. However, according to experts, a significant share of dietary supplements sold in the market is poor -quality or fake.
Factors contributing to the spread of fakes:
- High profitability: The production and sale of fake dietary supplements is a profitable business, since it does not require significant investment in development and research.
- Weak control: Control of the dietary supplement market is often insufficient, which allows unscrupulous manufacturers to sell their products freely.
- The availability of ingredients: The ingredients for the production of fake dietary supplements are easily available on the market.
- Development of Internet trade: The Internet trade has significantly expanded the possibilities for spreading fake dietary supplements, since it allows you to sell products anonymously and without proper control.
- Consumer trusting: Many consumers trust advertising and promises of dietary supplements, without realizing the risks associated with low -quality products.
II. How to recognize a fake: practical tips
II.A. The appearance of packaging and marking
A careful study of packaging and dietary supplements is the first step in identifying a fake. Pay attention to the following signs:
- Spelling and grammatical errors: Fake dietary supplements often contain spelling and grammatical errors in the text on the package. This may indicate the negligence of the manufacturer and the lack of quality control.
- Fuzzy or blurry font: A poor -quality seal may indicate that the packaging was made by artisanal.
- Incorrect or incomplete composition: Compare the composition indicated on the packaging with information available on the manufacturer’s website or in other reliable sources. Pay attention to the presence of prohibited or not declared ingredients.
- Lack or unreadable batch number and expiration date: Party number and shelf life should be clearly printed and should not be erased or changed.
- Lack of information about the manufacturer and importer: The packaging must indicate the full contact details of the manufacturer and importer, including the address, phone and email.
- The discrepancy of the packaging design to the original: Compare the packaging design with images of the original product on the manufacturer’s website or in other reliable sources. Pay attention to the color, font and the location of the elements.
- Damaged packaging: The presence of damage, such as scratches, dents or traces of autopsy, may indicate that the product was faked or improperly transported.
- Lack of signs of conformity and certification: Check the presence of signs of conformity and certification, such as the Eac sign (Eurasian correspondence) confirming the correspondence of the product with safety requirements.
- Incorrect or incomplete description of the product: The description of the product should be clear, understandable and contain all the necessary information about its properties, the method of application and contraindications.
- The inconsistency of the barcode: Check the bar code of the product using online services or mobile applications. The inconsistency of the barcode by the declared manufacturer or product may indicate a fake.
II.B. The appearance of the contents (capsules, tablets, powder)
The appearance of the contents of the dietary supplement can also indicate a fake. Pay attention to the following signs:
- Inhior color: The color of capsules, tablets or powder should be homogeneous. The presence of spots, divorces or other color deviations may indicate poor -quality raw materials or violation of production technology.
- Incorrect form: The shape of the capsules or tablets should be correct and the same. The presence of deformed or damaged elements may indicate poor -quality production.
- Unpleasant odor: Bad should not have an unpleasant odor. The presence of extraneous smells, such as the smell of mold, chemicals or burning oil, may indicate spoiled raw materials or violation of storage conditions.
- Incorrect consistency: The consistency of the powder should be homogeneous and crumbly. The presence of lumps, sticky particles or other deviations from the norm may indicate a violation of production technology or improper storage.
- Unusual taste: Bad should not have an unusual taste. The presence of a bitter, acidic or metallic taste may indicate poor -quality raw materials or the presence of harmful impurities.
- Differences between parties: Compare the appearance of the contents of dietary supplements from different parties. Significant differences in the color, shape, smell or taste can indicate the instability of production or fake.
- The discrepancy of the declared color: Compare the color of capsules, tablets or powder with a description indicated on the packaging or on the manufacturer’s website. The discrepancy of the color may indicate a fake.
- The presence of extraneous inclusions: The contents of the dietary supplement should not have extraneous inclusions, such as dust, hair or pieces of paper. The presence of such inclusions may indicate unsanitary conditions of production.
II.C. Price and place of acquisition
The price and place of the purchase of dietary supplements can also be indicators of fake.
- Too low price: If the price of dietary supplements is much lower than that of other sellers, this may indicate a fake. Fake products are often sold at a low price to attract customers.
- Dubious acquisition places: It is not recommended to purchase dietary supplements in unverified online stores, in markets, from individuals or in other dubious places. It is better to buy dietary supplements in pharmacies, specialized healthy food stores or on the websites of official manufacturers.
- The lack of a license from the seller: Check the presence of a license from the seller for the sale of dietary supplements. The absence of a license may indicate illegal activities and the risk of acquiring fake products.
- Rush and pressure from the seller: Be careful if the seller exerts pressure on you, forcing you to buy dietary supplements immediately. This may be a sign that the seller is trying to sell fake products.
- Seller anonymity: Do not buy dietary supplements from anonymous sellers who do not provide any information about yourself or your company.
- Lack of a return guarantee: Make sure that the seller provides a guarantee of the return of the goods if he turns out to be poorly or fake.
II.D. Authence of authenticity through official resources and registers
There are various resources and registers that can be used to check the authenticity of dietary supplements:
- Register of certificates of state registration of Rospotrebnadzor: On the website of Rospotrebnadzor, you can check the availability of a certificate of state registration (SGR) for dietary supplements. The SCR confirms the compliance of the product with safety and quality requirements.
- Manufacturers’ sites: On the websites of official dietary supplements, you can find information about the product, including the composition, readings, contraindications and quality certificates.
- Online services for checking barcodes: There are online services that allow you to check the authenticity of the product according to the barcode.
- Mobile applications for scanning barcodes: There are mobile applications that allow you to scan the barcode of the product and get information about it, including the manufacturer, the composition and expiration date.
- Dairy data databases and dietary supplements: There are databases that contain information about drugs and dietary supplements registered in Russia and other countries. These databases can help verify the authenticity of the product and obtain information about its properties.
- Consultation with a doctor or pharmacist: A doctor or a pharmacist can help check the authenticity of dietary supplements and give recommendations on its use.
II.E. Analysis of the composition and declared properties: Critical approach
When analyzing the composition and the declared properties of dietary supplements, it is necessary to show a critical approach:
- Checking the conformity of the declared properties to the composition: Make sure that the declared properties of dietary supplements correspond to its composition. Study information about each ingredient and its properties.
- Assessment of the evidence base: Evaluate how well the effectiveness of the declared properties of dietary supplements is proved. Look for information about clinical research and scientific publications confirming the effectiveness of the product.
- Critical attitude to loud promises: Be careful with dietary supplements that promise a cure for serious diseases or incredible results. Often such promises are a marketing course and do not have a scientific basis.
- Consultation with a doctor: Before you take dietary supplements, consult your doctor. The doctor can evaluate the benefits and risks from taking dietary supplements, taking into account your health condition and drugs taken.
- The study of contraindications and side effects: Check out the contraindications and side effects indicated on the packaging or in the instructions for use. Make sure that you have no contraindications to receive dietary supplements.
- Comparison with analogues: Compare the composition and properties of dietary supplements with analogues presented on the market. This will help you choose the most effective and safe product.
- Search for independent reviews and reviews: Look for independent reviews and reviews about dietary supplements on the Internet. Pay attention to consumer reviews that have already accepted the product.
- Checking the availability of prohibited ingredients: Make sure that there are no forbidden ingredients, such as drugs or doping drugs in the dietary supplement.
- Producer’s reputation assessment: Study the reputation of the manufacturer of dietary supplements. Give preference to manufacturers with a good reputation and many years of experience in the market.
III. How to avoid buying a fake: recommendations to consumers
III.A. Buying only in proven places (pharmacies, specialized stores)
As mentioned earlier, it is recommended to purchase dietary supplements only in proven places, such as pharmacies and specialized healthy food stores. These places, as a rule, have a license to sell dietary supplements and carry out product quality control.
III.B. Attention to price: too low price – an occasion for suspicion
Too low the price of dietary supplements should cause suspicion. Fake products are often sold at a low price to attract customers. Before buying dietary supplements at a low price, make sure of its authenticity and quality.
III.C. Checking certificates and certificates of state registration
Check the availability of certificates of conformity and certificate of state registration (SGR) for dietary supplements. The SCR confirms the compliance of the product with safety and quality requirements. Information about the SGR can be checked on the Rospotrebnadzor website.
III.D. Study of information about the manufacturer: the reputation and history of the company
Study information about the dietary supplement manufacturer. Give preference to manufacturers with a good reputation and many years of experience in the market. Study the history of the company, its production facilities and product quality control.
III.E. Caution when buying via the Internet: checking a seller and reviews
When buying dietary supplements via the Internet, be especially careful. Check the seller’s reputation, read the reviews of other buyers and make sure that the seller provides a guarantee of the return of the goods if he turns out to be poorly or fake.
III.F. Consultation with a doctor before admission of dietary supplement
Before you take dietary supplements, consult your doctor. The doctor can evaluate the benefits and risks from taking dietary supplements, taking into account your health condition and drugs taken. The doctor can also help choose the most suitable dietary supplement and determine its dosage.
III.G. Message about suspicious cases: where to go?
If you suspect that you have acquired a fake or poor -quality dietary supplement, inform the relevant authorities about it. You can contact Rospotrebnadzor, Roszdravnadzor or consumer protection authorities. Your message will help prevent the spread of fake products and protect other consumers.
IV. The role of the state and the supervisory authorities in the fight against fakes
IV.A. Legislative regulation of the BAC market in Russia
In Russia, the BAD market is regulated by a number of regulatory acts, including the Federal Law “On the quality and safety of food products”, the technical regulations of the Customs Union “On food safety” and other documents. These regulatory acts establish the requirements for the production, storage, transportation and implementation of dietary supplements, as well as their marking and composition.
IV.B. Functions of Rospotrebnadzor and Roszdravnadzor
Rospotrebnadzor and Roszdravnadzor are the main bodies that supervise the dietary supplement market in Russia. Rospotrebnadzor controls compliance with the requirements of sanitary and epidemiological legislation, and Roszdravnadzor-compliance with the requirements of the legislation on drugs and medical devices.
IV.C. Measures to combat counterfeit products: checks, fines, criminal liability
To combat counterfeit products, supervisory authorities conduct inspections of manufacturers and dietary supplements, impose fines for violation of the law and bring to criminal liability persons involved in the production and sale of fake dietary supplements.
IV.D. Prospects for the development of a quality control system
Currently, Russia is underway to improve the quality control system of dietary supplements. It is planned to strengthen control over the production and sale of dietary supplements, introduce mandatory labeling of products and increase the responsibility of manufacturers and sellers for violation of the law.
V. Alternative ways to obtain the necessary vitamins and minerals
Va balanced meals as a basis for health
A balanced diet is the basis of health and allows you to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from food. The diet should be diverse and include fruits, vegetables, cereals, dairy products, meat, fish and other products.
VB products rich in vitamins and minerals: examples and recommendations
There are products that are especially rich in vitamins and minerals. For example, citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, carrots-vitamin A, fish-vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, and dairy products-calcium.
VC lifestyle and its influence on the need for dietary supplements
Lifestyle has a significant impact on the need for dietary supplements. People leading an active lifestyle involved in sports or experiencing stress may need an additional technique of vitamins and minerals.
VD consultation with a nutritionist: an individual approach to nutrition
To draw up an individual food plan and determine the need to receive dietary supplements, it is recommended to contact a nutritionist. A nutritionist will help make a diet that will meet your needs and health status.
VI. Myths and misconceptions about dietary supplements
VI.A. “Bad is a medicine”
This is a common myth. Bad are not medicines and are not intended for the treatment of diseases. They are additives to food and are designed to maintain health.
Vi.b. “The more expensive, the more effective it is”
The price is not always an indicator of dietary supplements. Dear dietary supplements can contain more expensive ingredients or have a more complex formula, but this does not guarantee their greater effectiveness.
VI.C. “Diet cannot harm”
This is a delusion. Bad can harm health, especially if you take them without consulting a doctor or in large doses. Some dietary supplements can interact with medicines and cause side effects.
VI.D. “All dietary supplements undergo strict quality control”
Not all dietary supplements undergo strict quality control. Control of the dietary supplement market is often insufficient, which allows unscrupulous manufacturers to sell low -quality products.
VII. Conclusion
The acquisition and use of dietary supplements requires a conscious and responsible approach. A careful study of the packaging, composition, places of purchase and consultation with a doctor will help to avoid buying fake products and protect their health. Remember that a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are the basis of health, and dietary supplements can only be an addition to them.