Experts Call for Stricter Regulation of Germany's Growing Dietary Supplement Market

Recent investigations reveal overdosage risks in children's supplements and highlight the need for targeted, medically supervised supplementation.

Stiftung Warentest's latest tests found that most children's dietary supplements exceed recommended nutrient levels, with some containing harmful substances like copper.
Experts, including the Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR), emphasize that dietary supplements are unnecessary for healthy children and can pose health risks.
The German dietary supplement market generated over €3.11 billion in 2024, with increasing focus on products marketed to children.
Consumer organizations and public health experts are advocating for mandatory dosage limits, pre-market approval, and clearer labeling to address regulatory gaps.
Targeted supplementation is advised only for specific groups, such as vegans, pregnant women, and infants, under medical supervision to prevent deficiencies.