BRUSSELS, Belgium—Food Supplements Europe launched three new tools to assist the food supplement sector, including a guide to good manufacturing practices (GMPs), a self-assessment questionnaire and a guide for manufacturing botanical preparations.

The self-assessment questionnaire, which complements the company’s guide to GMPs published in May, was developed as a checklist to help manufacturers identify necessary documentation needed to ensure that their products are high-quality and safe.

“This self-assessment questionnaire is the result of the demand for easy-to-use documents to help our members apply the multitude of regulatory requirements applicable to food supplements," said Ingrid Atteryd, chair of Food Supplements Europe. “We know that especially our small and medium-sized members value the support from this kind of tools. “

Food Supplements Europe also launched a specific guide for the manufacturing of botanical preparations, including extracts as food supplements. This guide is also accompanied by a specific self-assessment questionnaire.

“Botanicals have very specific requirements for their identification and manufacturing," said Irene Minardi, chair of Italian Botanicals Association ASSOERBE and member of Food Supplements Europe. “That is why we developed a specific guideline for botanicals. The self-assessment questionnaire accompanying the guide will become an essential tool for companies that are committed to show they manufacture safe and high-quality products. "

Last year, Food Supplements Europe welcomed new members including the German food supplement association BLL AK NEM and pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer Boots UK.