Plant extracts in food supplements are under scrutiny. They are assessed according to extremely strict criteria – particularly when they are intended for use as dry extracts in food supplements.

The two most recent classifications regarding lemon balm and sage, published on 11 May 2026, illustrate as examples the documentation required to demonstrate that the liquid version of a tea (classified in the same way as the original plant part according to the BVL (Germany) substance list preface to the 4th edition) does not differ from the dried version (dry extracts). For this, HPLC analyses of both forms are required, which must demonstrate that the aqueous dry extract is ‘equivalent’ to aqueous infusions such as herbal tea. The quantities used must be dosed in such a way that no pharmacological effect is achieved.

As a result of the strict assessment by the authorities, the use of hydroalcoholic extracts in food supplements is rendered practically impossible. Two classification decisions regarding hydroalcoholic extracts from grapes (fruit) and American blueberries (fruit) as novel foods have left industry and science at a loss.

Classification of plant extracts