EHPM Marks 50 Years of Commitment to Health, Innovation, and Competitiveness at European Parliament Celebration

On November 12, the European Federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM) celebrated 50 years of representing Europe’s food supplement sector with a high-level anniversary event at the European Parliament.

The gathering brought together Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, MEP Pascal Arimont, who hosted the event, representatives of national associations, industry leaders, public stakeholders, and policymakers from across Europe to reflect on five decades of progress and to set priorities for the years ahead.

The event highlighted the contribution of the food supplement sector to Europe’s health and wellbeing. With more than 1,600 companies, most of which are SMEs, represented through EHPM’s membership, the sector has been a strong contributor to the European economy and a proactive supporter of policies that promote consumer wellbeing and sustainable growth.

In his opening address, Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi emphasised the importance of continuing to strengthen Europe’s approach to preventive health, noting that demographic changes, chronic disease trends, and pressure on national health systems make prevention increasingly important. In particular, he underlined the upcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, which aims to reduce risk factors and encourage healthier lifestyles across the Union. He continued to state that a thriving European food supplement sector supports these goals, pointing out that supplements "play an important role in supporting preventative health  and addressing nutritional gaps.”

MEP Pascal Arimont echoed these messages, stressing that ensuring a predictable regulatory environment is essential. He highlighted the need for policymakers and industry to continue working together to shape that regulation is fair, proportionate, and harmonised.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation and its members, Livia Menichetti, Director-General of EHPM, thanked the many partners who have contributed to EHPM’s work over the past half-century, stating that “for fifty years, EHPM has been guided by a simple conviction: that cooperation between institutions, scientific experts, and responsible industry is essential to building a healthier and more resilient Europe.”

The role of food supplements in supporting preventive health

Throughout the event, speakers highlighted the evolving role of food supplements in supporting citizens’ wellbeing. Commissioner Várhelyi noted that the sector has been “fundamental in shaping how we look at diet”, adding that, today, food supplements are widely used across Europe to help a wide range of consumers address specific nutritional needs, prevent deficiencies, and support overall health.

“Food supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet,” Nicholas Cappalaere, Chairperson of EHPM, noted, “but they can play an important complementary role, especially when combined with balanced nutrition, physical activity, and informed choices. As the EU strengthens its preventive health strategies, it is essential that the contribution of supplements is recognised and understood within a broader, science-based policy framework.”

Fifty years of European cooperation

EHPM’s anniversary also provided an opportunity to reflect on how deeply intertwined the organisation’s history is with the evolution of the European Union itself. Founded at a time when formal European cooperation was still in its early stages, EHPM has consistently promoted a harmonised approach to policymaking that encourages the free movement of high-quality products across the Single Market.

As Europe has expanded and regulatory frameworks have matured, EHPM has played a key role in fostering dialogue between industry, policymakers, and consumers. Penny Viner and Michel Horne, both active in the food supplement sector at the time of EHPM’s founding and still invaluable contributors today, pointed out that this legacy continues through EHPM’s work to improve regulatory predictability, support scientific research, and promote responsible communication to consumers.

EHPM Manifesto: guiding principles for the 2024–2029 EU Cycle

The event also highlighted EHPM’s Manifesto for the 2024 –2029 Cycle [1], which articulates three guiding principles that can ensure the food supplement sector continues to thrive:

1. Empowering consumers with clear information that supports informed decision-making.
2. Supporting growth, innovation, and competitiveness, especially for SMEs, through a fair and predictable regulatory environment.
3. Ensuring policymaking stems from open and transparent dialogue with all stakeholders.

“These principles have not changed since 1975,” Livia Menichetti noted, “but they are more important than ever in a rapidly evolving European landscape. As new technologies emerge, as consumer expectations rise, and as public health challenges become more complex, clear rules must continue to anchor the sector’s development.”

Looking ahead: Innovation, responsibility, and collaboration

As EHPM enters its next half-century, the organisation highlighted several areas where continued collaboration will be essential. These include adapting regulation to scientific advances, improving communication on the role of supplements in supporting preventive health, supporting SMEs in navigating regulatory complexity, and ensuring that consumer protection remains at the centre of policymaking.

The anniversary event concluded with a call for continued partnership between institutions, industry, and civil society.

EHPM expressed its gratitude to all members, partners, and policymakers who took part in the celebration, emphasising that the organisation’s achievements over the past fifty years are the result of collective effort, and that continued collaboration will shape its future.