The global food supplement industry recently gathered in Istanbul for the Annual Meeting of the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) to address the scientific and regulatory issues shaping the future of legislation. The meeting brought together members from Asia, Europe, Latin America, Russia and the U.S. to establish priorities for action. It was agreed: the IADSA Scientific Programme would be extended to cover the substantiation of claims and best practice in the regulation of botanical ingredients in supplements, and that a global framework for good manufacturing practices (GMP) would be developed. (This will bring together elements of existing GMPs from across the world.) Attendees also agreed that cooperation would continue with governments across Asia and Latin America and that IADSA should monitor developments in the EU (particularly on health claims regulations).

Peter Zambetti, the newly elected chairman of IADSA, highlighted the importance of harnessing the combined expertise and networks of members across the world. “IADSA is an organization that continues to move from strength to strength,” he said. “We have to move forward on engaging in more education and training for decision-makers, whether in government or science. It is vital that whatever regulatory and policy solutions are arrived at across the world, the interests of the whole supplement sector are protected.”