The Commission has just published a report on the controls of food supplements in the EU. The Food and Veterinary Office had visited five Member States in 2013 and 2014, to obtain an overview on the controls carried out for these products. Food supplements contain concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals, plant and herbal extracts. They are marketed in capsules, pills, powders or liquids. Their purpose is to supplement the normal diet, but not to treat or cure a disease. The visits in Member States took place against the backdrop of a growing trade in food supplements in the EU, especially via the internet, and an increasing number of alert notifications in the EU Rapid Alert System for Food. This demonstrates that these products can be a real risk to food safety. Minerals and vitamins are approved by the European Commission, but maximum levels have not been set. A Commission report of 2008 had concluded that it was not feasible to harmonise the use of other substances such as plant and herbal extracts. In most Member States, producers or traders have to inform (“notify”) the national authorities about the products marketed. The procedures for assessing these notifications differ considerably within the EU. Member States pointed out that the lack of harmonised lists of approved plant and herbal extracts, and of maximum levels for vitamins and minerals, means that the safety criteria are not transparent to traders, inspectors and consumers. Likewise, different national provisions can be an obstacle to intra-EU trade. A number of Member States have taken initiatives to address issues such as the control of internet sales. Such examples of good practice will provide the basis for discussions with Member States on practical steps to improve the effectiveness of controls. Regarding the possible approval of plant and herbal extracts, the Commission is currently examining the feasibility of various options.