Selling Supplements in Italy: Ministry of Health Notification Guide

Italy requires all food supplements to be notified to the Ministry of Health (Ministero della Salute) before being placed on the Italian market. Notification is submitted via the online portal (Registro degli integratori alimentari). You must notify: product name, complete ingredient list with quantities, label draft, and responsible FBO details. Products containing ingredients outside the permitted lists must seek an extension or prior authorisation. Once notified, you receive a Ministry code that should be displayed on the label.

Italy maintains its own positive lists for permitted supplement ingredients — separate from (though largely overlapping with) EU-wide rules. Key Italian-specific lists: Ministerial Decree of 10 August 2018 for botanical ingredients (with specific parts, preparations, and maximum quantities). If your product contains a botanical not on the Italian list, it cannot be sold without specific authorisation. Many ingredients common in US supplements (high-dose melatonin above 1mg, certain herbal extracts) face restrictions in Italy that don't apply in the UK or Germany.

Labels must be in Italian (primary language). Required elements: product name, net quantity, ingredient list, allergen declarations, best before date, storage conditions, serving size, recommended daily dose, 'Non superare la dose giornaliera consigliata' (Do not exceed the recommended daily dose), 'Tenere fuori dalla portata dei bambini di età inferiore ai 3 anni' (Keep out of reach of children under 3), name and address of Italian-based FBO or EU-established importer. Ministry notification code if applicable.

Unlike the UK, Germany, or the Netherlands, Italy's supplement market is heavily pharmacy-oriented. Approximately 50% of Italian supplement sales go through pharmacies (farmacie) and para-pharmacies (parafarmacie). This channel requires working with a pharmaceutical distributor with established pharmacy relationships. Key distributors: COMIFAR, Admenta Italia (Phoenix group), Ofarm. The pharmacy channel is highly regulated — pharmacists are knowledgeable buyers who expect detailed product dossiers.

• Farmacie (pharmacies): ~19,000 pharmacies nationwide. Primary supplement sales channel.
• Parafarmacie: Para-pharmacies in supermarkets and standalone — strong and growing supplement channel.
• Erboristerie (herbalists): Traditional botanical supplement channel. Over 7,000 stores.
• NaturaSi: Italy's largest organic/natural food retail chain.
• Amazon.it: Growing online supplement channel. Ministry notification number expected on listings.