title: Food supplement-related risks in the light of internet and RASFF data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Based on legal acts and RASFF information, this paper aimed at evaluating available facts on food supplements in comparison to the most popular data accessible via Internet for future and present consumers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Having analyzed legal acts and RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) database, the authors attempted to verify what kind of information on food supplements may be found by an Internet user, using the first webpage of Google.pl. This search engine was used in this study as it gained the highest popularity among Internet users. It was decided that exclusively search results displayed on the first webpage would be subject to analysis as 91.5% of Internet users limit their search to the first 9-10 results. Internet was searched using the following two terms: 'supplement' and 'supplements' as well as terms suggested by Google. pl. Subsequently, the results were subject to qualitative and quantitative analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the Internet, the most frequently searched terms were: 'supplements' (243 000 000), 'supplement' (9 290 000), 'supplements shop' (8 200 000). Having analyzed the content of particular websites, information on certain products, given by their manufacturers may be found. Then, data on supplement itself were provided, i.e. what is a supplement and when it should be used. Expert articles (written by physicians, dieticians, pharmacists) on a risk resulting from these products, including therapeutic indications or the presence of unauthorized substances were identified considerably less frequently. No warnings regarding the necessity of purchasing the products in legal and verified places were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a necessity of systemic education of consumers on reasonable use of food supplements. It is also advisable to consider the organization of alert system whose objective would be to monitor adverse reactions caused by an intake of food supplements or novel food launched into the country. To obtain reliable information on the composition and effects of food supplements, potential consumer should contact physician or dietician. Additionally, complementary information, using different sources with an example being health-related portals, presenting articles written by physicians or pharmacists, may be also searched.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Communication and Marketing.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wróbel-Harmas
authors.affiliation: Department of Organization, Health Economics and Hospital Management.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krysińska
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Safety.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Postupolski
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion and Postgraduate Education National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene.
authors.forename: Mirosław J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wysocki
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D016208:Databases, Factual; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*