Portugal's Health Inspectors Bust Dubious Supplement Claims—Check Your Labels

Portuguese commuters scrolling through their phones this morning may want to flip the bottle of magnesium or collagen they bought online last week. In a sweep that reached from Aveiro’s shopping malls to Instagram storefronts, Portugal’s food-safety police say they have uncovered a pattern of half-truths on supplement labels, sudden “flash” discounts that never end, and even the first signs of possible ingredient fraud in the wellness aisle.

From herbalists in Braga to supermarkets in the Algarve

Deploying plain-clothes teams over several weekends, the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE) visited 127 commercial operators. The map included ervanárias, para-pharmacies, large retail chains, and the growing constellation of Portuguese-language e-shops that promise next-day delivery of vitamins. Officials describe the action as a nationwide “stress-test” of the rules that shield consumers from misleading marketing in an industry worth €300 M a year.

What investigators found under the bright packaging

Behind countertops and warehouse doors, agents say they collected jars that displayed permanent “50 % off” stickers—an illegal practice because price cuts must be time-limited under Portuguese law. On other products, legally required warnings such as “keep out of reach of children” and maximum daily dose were missing or printed in lettering so small it violated the EU’s Food Information Regulation. Online, the watchdog captured screen grabs of ads that claimed certain capsules could “eliminate anxiety” or “burn body fat while you sleep,” wording that crosses the red line set by Regulation 1924/2006 on health claims.

17 administrative cases and a criminal file: why it matters

The blitz generated 17 administrative-offence dossiers and triggered one criminal investigation for suspected foodstuff falsification—a serious charge that can carry up to two years in prison if evidence backs it up. In addition, officers removed 150 supplement units from circulation because the goods lacked mandatory Portuguese-language labelling. ASAE’s João Torres, speaking to this newspaper, said the authority’s priority is to ensure that “no citizen takes a product whose composition or dosage is a mystery.” Fines per infringement can reach €44 800, and repeat offenders risk temporary closure.

Label transparency is not just bureaucracy

Nutrition researcher Marta Carvalho from the University of Lisbon notes that overlapping supplements are a common pitfall: “Someone already prescribed an iron pill might unknowingly double their intake by buying an unlabelled multivitamin,” she warns. Excessive iron is linked to liver damage, while uncontrolled vitamin A can harm pregnancy. Under Decree-Law 136/2003, every supplement sold in Portugal must display, in Portuguese, the exact amount of each nutrient, a clear daily portion, and a statement that it is “not a substitute for a varied diet.” When those details are absent, the risk of overdose or dangerous interactions rises sharply.

Industry braces for tighter oversight

Large retailers grouped under the Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies (APED) have pledged an internal audit of all supplement suppliers. The National Pharmacies Association (ANF), representing roughly 2 800 pharmacies, says it will roll out refresher courses on notification procedures and set up a whistle-blower channel for pharmacists who spot irregular goods. E-commerce players, from local marketplaces to global giants, are preparing new keyword filters to block listings that promise miraculous cures.

Brussels prepares new rules—and Portugal wants a head start

While Lisbon intensifies domestic checks, Brussels is finalising Regulation 2025/352, which adds new forms of vitamin D but simultaneously caps daily doses. A separate European Parliament resolution calls for nutrient profiles—a move that would stop high-sugar products from marketing themselves as “protein-rich.” Digital advertising is next on the Commission’s agenda, with special focus on TikTok influencers targeting teenagers. ASAE officials say Portugal plans to align with these changes early, arguing that “pre-compliance” spares local businesses from sudden regulatory shocks.

How shoppers can protect themselves today

Consumer groups advise three practical steps. First, verify that the front of the package clearly states “Suplemento Alimentar.” Second, check whether the dose per capsule matches the guidelines on the DGAV (Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária) website. Third, be sceptical of any product that claims to “cure,” “treat,” or “prevent” disease—those promises belong to medicines, not food supplements.

Portugal’s wellness industry is booming, but, as ASAE’s latest sweep shows, the sector still includes players willing to gamble with the small print. The authority promises follow-up visits in the coming months. Until then, the safest strategy for consumers is simple: read the label—and make sure it is really telling the whole story.