title: [General thoughts about use of plants in food, supplements and in phytotherapy].
abstract: Herbal products on the market are evaluated by health authorities to decide whether they are drugs to all intents and purposes, and consequently they have to conform to related laws, or whether they should be regarded as dietary supplements and hence marketed freely or with notification of label to competent Authorities. The question appears to be very complicated because only a limited number of plants are utilized in phytotherapy, whereas most of them are borderline between therapeutic and physiological activity. The article summarizes the main national and community legislation on dietary supplements and herbal products.
authors.affiliation: Centro Nazionale per la Qualita degli Alimenti e per i Rischi Alimentari, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. p.aureli@iss.it
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aureli
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D007881:Legislation, Food; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010945:Plants, Edible; D010946:Plants, Medicinal