Service Finder
Notification of food supplements for sale in Germany
Service Description
Food supplements must meet certain legal requirements. This applies not only to the manufacture or declaration, but also when you make the product available for sale or use.
In the following cases, please send a notification to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL):
First notification:
You must notify the BVL at the latest when you distribute the product on the German market for the first time or offer it for use or sale. You must submit a separate notification for each product.
Notification of change:
Notify the BVL, for example, if the product already notified
- has a changed recipe,
- you change the consumption recommendations or
- your company has a new address.
Secondary notification: You must also send a notification if the product
- is already registered in another EU member state and
- you wish to place the product on the market in Germany for the first time.
The BVL will forward your information to the competent authorities in the federal states and to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The competent authorities of the federal states monitor compliance with the legal requirements. As a company, you are responsible for implementing these requirements.
The BVL does not assess the marketability of the products, i.e. the extent to which they comply with food law regulations.
Therefore, the BVL cannot confirm whether your product complies with the food law regulations within the scope of the notification.
No authorization or approval is granted after the notification of a food supplement has been submitted.
Process flow
You can submit the notification online via the federal portal:
- Call up the online form on the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information.
- Complete the form, upload the required documents and submit the notification online.
- You will receive a confirmation of receipt.
Requirements
- You are planning to launch food supplements on the German market.
Which documents are required?
- Sample of the label in German to be used for the product
- If there are several pack sizes or flavors, please submit all corresponding product labels.
- Power of attorney if you are notifying the product on behalf of the responsible food company
-
If you have already notified your product in another EU Member State, the following documents are optional:
- Confirmation of the first notification as a copy
- German or English translation of the confirmation, if applicable
What are the fees?
Emission: free of chargeThere are no costs.
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
You must make the notification at the latest when you make the product available for sale or use in Germany.
Processing duration
Duration: 0.5 hours
Note for further information on the processing time:
Processing is completed once the notification form has been sent or confirmation of receipt has been received.
Legal basis
Applications / forms
none
Appeal
Forms available: No
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: No
Personal appearance required: No
Online services available: Yes
What else should I know?
The confirmation of receipt of the notification does not constitute a certificate as to whether the product is marketable. The marketability of the product (e.g. labeling) is not checked upon notification.
A notification does not replace the individual obligation to comply with food law regulations.
Further Information
Author
Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL)
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
- Display of food supplements Acceptance
Remark: Display of performance in the source portal
Technically approved by
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)
Professionally released on
14.06.2023
Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)
Start your request directly online:
Competent Authority
Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (BVL) – Dienststelle Berlin Gerichtstraße, Referat 111
Address
Postal address
10832 Berlin, Stadt