What is a food supplement, and is it a medicine?

Answer

Food supplements are products used to support a normal diet. They may contain nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein, fibre, fatty acids and amino acids, as well as concentrated or extracted forms of plant and animal derived substances, bioactive components and similar materials. They can be prepared singly or as mixtures, are presented in forms such as capsules, tablets, lozenges, powders, liquid ampoules or dropper bottles, and have a defined daily intake dose. In Türkiye food supplements are treated as food under Law No. 5996; they are produced and inspected in line with that legislation. A food supplement is therefore not a medicine and is not used to treat disease.