The consumer protection agency, together with the Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH, carried out a market study of nutritional supplements for children. The conclusion: They are superfluous, expensive and often overdosed. In addition, they look like sweets and thus encourage overconsumption, which can lead to undesirable side effects. The consumer protection agency is calling for binding guidelines for dosage and advertising.
Food supplements for children are generally not necessary if they have a varied and balanced diet. They appear to promote concentration, strengthen growth or increase the immune system. This appeals to concerned parents who fear that their child is not getting enough nutrients. However, an oversupply of micronutrients can have a negative impact on health and cause headaches, nausea or tiredness.
There is a wide range of food supplements available. Consumer protection and the BFH have examined 20 products that can be purchased from wholesalers or other suppliers without advice.
The most important findings of the market research
- 15 out of 20 products are overdosed. You exceed the Swiss Reference values for nutrient intakeTwo products even contain an overdose of the majority of vitamins. However, an oversupply of micronutrients can have a negative impact on health.
- Inaccurate information: For 5 of the 20 products, the information on dosage and/or age group is imprecise. This can lead to incorrect or overdosing doses.
- Modified health claims: The wording for health claims specified by the federal government was reproduced in abbreviated form on the front of 10 products. They are worded in such a way that they can create excessive expectations about the effectiveness of the products.
- Sweet and problematic: The packaging is colorful, and cartoon characters specifically appeal to children. The products themselves come in the form of gummy bears, chocolate, or syrup. Thanks to the addition of sugar, sweeteners, or other ingredients, they all taste sweet. This makes it difficult to adhere to the dosage recommendations.
- The dietary supplements are expensive: The benefits of these products have not been proven, but they are clearly noticeable in your wallet. They can cost several hundred francs per child per year.
Conclusion of the market study: There is a lot wrong with these products, children as the most vulnerable consumer group are not sufficiently protected. “Food supplements are not sweets and should not be advertised as such,” stresses Josianne Walpen, project manager for consumer protection, “There is an urgent need for legal requirements for dosage, but also for advertising and the form of administration.”
Maximum quantity model also for children
Consumer protection is therefore demanding that there be legally defined maximum amounts of vitamins and minerals for children, as is already the case for adults. The specific needs of children, differentiated by age group, must be taken into account. And as with all overly sweet foods aimed at children, it must also be possible to restrict advertising for this product group. A corresponding legal basis is to be included in the upcoming revision of the Food Act. This is urgently needed, as this market study shows once again (see also the product studies by 2023 and 2022).
To the report Tips for healthy eating
What are the potential risks associated with nutritional supplements for children according to recent market studies?
Table of Contents
The Dark Side of Nutritional Supplements for Children: A Market Study Reveals Alarming Findings
As parents, we want the best for our children, and ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and development is a top priority. However, a recent market study conducted by the consumer protection agency and the Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH has raised concerns about the safety and efficacy of nutritional supplements for children. The study’s findings are alarming, suggesting that these supplements are not only unnecessary but also potentially harmful to children’s health.
The Myth of Nutritional Supplements for Children
Food supplements for children are often marketed as a way to promote concentration, strengthen growth, and boost the immune system. However, the study reveals that these claims are largely unfounded. In reality, children who consume a varied and balanced diet do not require additional nutritional supplements. Moreover, an oversupply of micronutrients can have negative consequences on their health, leading to headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
The Study’s Findings: A Look at 20 Popular Products
The market study examined 20 nutritional supplements for children that are readily available from wholesalers and other suppliers without medical advice. The results are eye-opening:
15 out of 20 products are overdosed, exceeding the Swiss Reference Values for Nutrient Intake. Two products contain an overdose of the majority of vitamins, highlighting the potential risks of adverse health effects.
Inaccurate labeling: Five products have imprecise information on dosage and/or age group, which can lead to incorrect or overdosing.
Misleading health claims: 10 products feature abbreviated health claims on the front of the packaging, creating unrealistic expectations about their effectiveness.
Too sweet and tempting: The products are designed to appeal to children, with colorful packaging and cartoon characters. They come in the form of gummy bears, chocolate, or syrup, making it difficult for children to adhere to dosage recommendations.
* Expensive and unnecessary: The benefits of these products are unproven, yet they can cost several hundred francs per child per year.
The Need for Regulatory Action
The study’s findings are a sobering reminder of the need for stricter regulations and guidelines for nutritional supplements targeting children. The consumer protection agency is calling for binding guidelines on dosage, advertising, and the form of administration to ensure that children are protected from potential harm.
Maximum Quantity Model: A Solution for Children’s Safety
Consumer protection is advocating for the introduction of a maximum quantity model for vitamins and minerals in children’s supplements, similar to the model already in place for adults. This would provide a safeguard against overdosing and ensure that children are not exposed to unnecessary health risks.
Conclusion
The market study’s findings are a wake-up call for parents, policymakers, and the nutritional supplement industry. Children are the most vulnerable consumer group, and it is our responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being. By demanding stricter regulations and guidelines, we can protect our children from the potential harm caused by unnecessary and potentially dangerous nutritional supplements.
Keywords: nutritional supplements, children’s health, consumer protection, market study, overdosing, inaccurate labeling, misleading health claims, regulatory action, maximum quantity model, safety guidelines.
What are the potential risks of overdosing on nutritional supplements for children?
The Dark Side of Nutritional Supplements for Children: A Call to Action for Binding Guidelines
As a concerned parent, it’s natural to want the best for your child, and ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients is a top priority. However, a recent market study by the consumer protection agency and the Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH has uncovered some alarming truths about nutritional supplements for children. The conclusion? These supplements are often unnecessary, overpriced, and even harmful.
The Unnecessary Nature of Nutritional Supplements for Children
In most cases, a balanced and varied diet provides all the necessary nutrients for children’s growth and development. Supplements promising to promote concentration, strengthen growth, or boost the immune system may seem appealing, but they are largely unnecessary. Moreover, an oversupply of micronutrients can have negative health consequences, including headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
Market Study Findings: A Cause for Concern
The market study examined 20 nutritional supplements available for purchase without advice. The results are disturbing:
Overdosing: 15 out of 20 products exceed the recommended daily intake of nutrients, with two products containing an overdose of the majority of vitamins.
Inaccurate Information: 5 products have imprecise information on dosage and/or age group, leading to potential incorrect or overdosing.
Misleading Health Claims: 10 products feature abbreviated health claims on the front label, creating excessive expectations about their effectiveness.
Sweet and Problematic: Colorful packaging, cartoon characters, and sweet-tasting ingredients like sugar, sweeteners, or syrup make these products appealing to children, making it difficult to adhere to dosage recommendations.
* Expensive and Unnecessary: The benefits of these products are unproven, yet they can cost hundreds of francs per child per year.
A Call to Action: Binding Guidelines for Dosage and Advertising
The market study’s conclusion is clear: children, as the most vulnerable consumer group, are not adequately protected. The consumer protection agency is calling for binding guidelines for dosage, advertising, and product form to ensure these products are safe and effective. As Josianne Walpen, project manager for consumer protection, emphasizes, “Food supplements are not sweets and should not be advertised as such. There is an urgent need for legal requirements for dosage, but also for advertising and the form of administration.”
A Maximum Quantity Model for Children
Implementing a maximum quantity model, similar to those in place for certain medications, would help prevent overdosing and ensure that children receive only the necessary amount of nutrients. This, combined with stricter regulations on advertising and product form, could go a long way in protecting children from the potential harm of nutritional supplements.
Conclusion
While nutritional supplements may seem like a convenient way to ensure your child is receiving the necessary nutrients, the reality is that they are often unnecessary, overpriced, and even harmful. It’s time for policymakers and manufacturers to take action, implementing binding guidelines to protect children and ensure that these products are safe, effective, and responsibly marketed.
Keywords: nutritional supplements, children, consumer protection, market study, overdosing, inaccurate information, misleading health claims, sweet and problematic, expensive and unnecessary, binding guidelines, maximum quantity model, food supplements, health consequences.
