Sports nutrition, protein powder and meal replacements

• Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 — food for specific groups
• Directive 2002/46/EC — food supplements
• Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 — nutrition and health claims
• Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 — food information

Who has to appoint one

Anyone placing sports nutrition on the EU market. Total diet replacement for weight control has its own compositional rules under Regulation 609/2013; ordinary protein powders and bars are foods or food supplements depending on presentation.

Thresholds and exemptions

None. National notification applies where the product is presented as a food supplement, with procedures differing per member state.

What must appear on the label

Name, ingredients with allergens emphasised, nutrition declaration, net quantity, durability, storage, the EU operator's details, portion guidance and warnings where relevant. Health and nutrition claims may only be those on the authorised list, in the approved wording.

Marketplace fields

Marketplaces remove listings with muscle-building, fat-burning or testosterone claims, which are not on the authorised list. Amino acid and stimulant content is scrutinised, and several member states restrict specific ingredients nationally.

Documentation you must hold

Food business registration, notification where required, specifications and certificates of analysis, HACCP documentation, traceability, and evidence supporting any authorised claim used.

Standards and testing

Protein content verification, heavy metals, microbiology, and screening for prohibited or doping-relevant substances, since contamination cases have led to product bans and to athlete sanctions.

Language requirements

The complete label in the official language of each member state of sale.

When it applies

Notification before first sale where the member state requires it.

How long records are kept

Batch and traceability records per national food law.

What happens if you do not comply

Withdrawal, seizure and fines. Unauthorised claims are the most common infringement, and contamination with prohibited substances brings both regulatory and civil consequences.

Who enforces it

National food safety authorities and consumer protection authorities.

Where the boundary lies

A protein product marketed to build muscle is making a claim that is not authorised, whatever the science says: the closed list governs. Products containing stimulants at high doses have been treated as medicinal in several member states.

Questions we are asked

Can we say our protein builds muscle?

Only using an authorised claim in its approved wording. 'Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass' is authorised; stronger formulations are not.

Is a meal replacement a normal food?

Total diet replacement for weight control has specific compositional and labelling rules under Regulation 609/2013 and its delegated act.