Proposed Regulations for Dietary Supplements in Uruguay: Transparency and Definition Under Food Law

Uruguay Proposes New Regulations for Dietary Supplements to Ensure Transparency and Safety

In a move to enhance consumer protection and ensure the quality of dietary supplements, Uruguay has proposed new regulations that aim to define these products under food law and establish clear guidelines for product labeling.

The proposal, published in January, seeks to bring transparency to the market by clearly identifying formulations with science-backed ingredients and benefits. If passed, the regulations would be incorporated into the national food science law of 1994, which was recently amended to regulate sports performance supplements but did not extend to the broader category of vitamins, minerals, and supplements.

Under the proposed law, dietary supplements are broadly defined as products that provide nutrients, bioactive substances, and probiotics to supplement the normal diet in healthy individuals. Health claims would be authorized on a case-by-case basis, using approved claims from international agencies as reference.

The regulations also outline strict requirements for ingredients, including identity, purity, and composition specifications established by recognized standards such as the Food Chemical Codex and Codex Alimentarius. Additionally, the document includes clauses on additives, heavy metals, pesticide residues, and specific labeling requirements.

In the Uruguayan market, consumption of dietary supplements saw a slight decline in value terms in 2023, according to Euromonitor International. Despite this, categories like combination supplements, mineral supplements, and probiotics performed well. Leading companies in the market include Bayer Uruguay, Herbalife Uruguay, Abbott Laboratorios de Uruguay, and Omnilife.

As the health and wellness trend continues to grow, consumers are expected to increasingly turn to dietary supplements as a preventive medicine, driving sales in Uruguay to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6% between 2024 and 2028. With these new regulations in place, consumers can expect greater transparency and safety when choosing dietary supplements in Uruguay.