The difference between dietary supplements and health products

Judging from the definition of domestic official supervision, dietary supplements themselves are a subcategory of health foods (also known as "health products" as we say every day).； However, in the context of private consumption and the context of overseas products in cross-border e-commerce, the two are often regarded as two types of products. The core difference lies in "regulatory requirements" and "the boundaries of functional claims." To put it bluntly, it is a bit like the often debated "whether cherry tomatoes count as tomatoes." The definition of boundaries changes with the scene, but the core logic is not difficult to figure out.

A while ago, I was helping my mother sort out the stockings on her bedside table, and I came across the most typical scene of cognitive confusion: There were three things stuffed in her small drawer. One was a blue-hat label vitamin C tablet purchased from the drugstore downstairs for medical insurance, the other was GNC Coenzyme Q10 sent back from the United States by my brother, and the third was a gift from an old square dance sister. Herbal oral liquids that claim to "assist in lowering blood sugar" are all called "health products" by my mother. But if we really want to define them, the first two belong to the category of "dietary supplements" in their respective regulatory systems. Only the last one is an ordinary blue-hat health product that claims to be the main function in the traditional domestic perception.

Why is there such a misplacement in the name? In fact, the root cause is that the regulatory rules are different in different regions. In the "Health Food Registration and Filing Management Measures" promulgated in China in 2016, health products are specifically divided into two types of management: one type is functional health foods that require registration and approval, which are familiar to everyone and can claim to have specific functions such as "enhancing immunity" and "assisting in lowering blood lipids". A full set of toxicological and functional experiments are required to obtain a blue hat. ； The other type is the dietary supplements subject to registration. Only basic nutrients such as vitamins and minerals are allowed to be supplemented. There is no need to conduct complex functional experiments. As long as the raw materials and dosages comply with the catalog issued by the state, they can be put on the market after registration. To put it bluntly, the regulatory requirements are much looser than functional health products, and they are more focused.

The difference is even greater when placed overseas. For example, dietary supplements defined by the U.S. FDA Supplement), there is no need to obtain official approval in advance. As long as the manufacturer ensures that the raw materials are safe and the production is compliant, it can be put on the market. It is also clearly stipulated that it cannot claim to "treat diseases" and can only say "support certain types of health functions." Many fish oil, grape seeds, and melatonin purchased from overseas are of this type. Because when entering the domestic cross-border e-commerce channel, they are regulated according to the rules of the country of origin and do not need to be labeled with a blue hat. Many consumers mistakenly believe that it is "not a health product, but a safer nutritional supplement." In fact, it is just a different regulatory system.

The industry has actually been arguing about the classification of these two for several years. One group believes that dietary supplements should be completely removed from the category of health products. After all, they are just for supplementing basic nutrients. They do not have the complex functional ingredients of functional health products, and they are not easy to fall into the trap of false propaganda. It is easier for consumers to distinguish them when separated.； The other group feels that it is completely unnecessary. In essence, they are all foods that are not intended to treat diseases. Split definitions can easily exploit loopholes for unscrupulous merchants. For example, many micro-businesses now sell three-no products. They boast that they can cure diseases under the guise of "dietary supplements are not health products," but they have deceived many people.

I have been doing nutritional consulting for so long, and I rarely bother with the differences between the two definitions with consultants. To be honest, there is really no need for ordinary consumers to bother with this. You only need to look for two points when buying: First, look for regulatory labels. Health products sold through domestic formal channels have blue hat labels, and dietary supplements are no exception. For overseas purchases, try to choose regular brands from the country of origin, and don’t buy those “pure natural supplements” in your circle of friends that don’t even have a production batch number.”； The second is to look at its promotional rhetoric. As long as it says it can replace antihypertensive and hypoglycemic drugs, or can "radically cure" any chronic disease, regardless of whether it is called a dietary supplement or a health product, just turn around and walk away.

I once met a girl who took 8 grape seed capsules a day for whitening. She said, "This is a dietary supplement, not a health product. It's okay to eat too much." I was shocked. Don't believe this nonsense. For example, fat-soluble vitamins A, vitamin E, and minerals such as iron and selenium can be toxic if taken in excess. It doesn't matter what the name is. It's best to check the recommended intake before eating. If you are not sure, ask a doctor or nutritionist. It's more reliable than anything else.

To put it bluntly, the difference between the two names is essentially a misunderstanding caused by the mismatch between regulatory rules and consumer context. There is really no need to fight over the name. Whether it is dietary supplements or health products, they are essentially food and cannot replace drug treatment. Nor is it that the more you eat, the better. It is most practical to supplement as needed and purchase in compliance with regulations.