Dietary Supplement

Dietary Supplement

A dietary supplement, also referred to as a food supplement or nutritional supplement, is a product designed to complement the diet and provide essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, or amino acids that may be lacking or insufficiently consumed in one's daily diet. Different countries categorize dietary supplements differently; some classify them as foods, while others classify them as drugs or natural health products.

Supplements containing vitamins or dietary minerals fall under the food category in the Codex Alimentarius, a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and recommendations concerning foods, food production, and food safety. These standards are established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a body sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

In Malaysia, the primary legislation governing food is the Food Act 1983 and the Food Regulations 1985, overseen by the Food Safety and Quality Division (FSQD) of the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MoH). However, food or dietary supplements are not covered under these regulations. Certain products at the interface of food and drugs are regulated by the National Pharmaceutical Control Authority Board (NPCB) under the MoH.

Established in 1978 by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (NPCB) is responsible for ensuring the quality assurance and regulatory affairs of pharmaceuticals. The NPCB administers the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, which aims to guarantee the safety, efficacy, and quality of pharmaceutical products used in healthcare.

Recognized as a regional training center for quality control of pharmaceuticals under the Asean Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries (Asean TCDC) Program, the NPCB has conducted training programs in quality control since 1986. Moreover, it has hosted trainees from various countries and received recognition as a "WHO Collaborating Centre in the Regulatory Control of Pharmaceuticals" in 1996, highlighting its technical expertise and training capabilities.

The Drug Control Authority (DCA), established under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, is responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of pharmaceuticals, health products, and personal care products marketed in Malaysia. The DCA also oversees compliance with labeling requirements for all registered or notified products.