France Bans Marketing of Garcinia Cambogia Supplements

France Bans Marketing of Garcinia Cambogia Supplements

On April 15, 2025, the French government issued an order (Order of April 15, 2025) suspending the importation, introduction, and marketing, both free and paid, of food supplements containing the Garcinia cambogia plant and its derivatives throughout France for at least one year.

This measure follows the conclusions of the National Agency for Food, Environmental, and Labor Safety (ANSES) regarding the evaluation of adverse effects related to the consumption of food supplements containing Garcinia cambogia dated February 12, 2025, which highlight an acute risk related to the consumption of food supplements containing Garcinia cambogia extracts in people with medical history but also in healthy individuals.

Specifically, the health risks identified by ANSES as cases of serious adverse effects related to the consumption of this botanical preparation include:

• Acute hepatitis, sometimes fatal.

• Psychiatric disorders.

• Pancreatitis.

• Heart problems.

• Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle damage).

France has thus preempted the opinion expected to be issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in a few months as a conclusion to the ongoing safety assessment of this ingredient, which could culminate in a total ban on the use and marketing of this ingredient and its main active ingredient, hydroxycitric acid, throughout the European Union.

Interestingly, since 2012, the prescription and dispensing of medications containing Garcinia cambogia have been prohibited in France due to the lack of proven efficacy and health risks. Although its use in food supplements was not prohibited until now, the new order of April 15, 2025, suspends its marketing in any form. Furthermore, ANSES warns that the health claims or declarations that typically accompany the labeling of products containing this ingredient, such as weight loss or appetite control, have not been evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which could mislead consumers.

For now, the extension of the ban to food supplements affects only the French market. However, it should be noted that in a few months, this measure could be extended, if not in the form of a total ban, perhaps in the form of restrictions on use in terms of maximum quantities or specific consumer populations who should not consume these products.

Therefore, the measures and actions requested of those responsible for marketing food supplements containing Garcinia cambogia in the French market are as follows:

- Withdraw the aforementioned products from the French market at all points of sale available to consumers.

- Recall products already in the hands of consumers.

- Inform all consumers of the dangerous nature and risks of consuming these products, as well as advise them not to consume them.

All costs associated with implementing the measures established in the Order will be borne by those responsible for marketing food supplements containing the Garcinia cambogia Desr. plant or any preparation derived from parts of this plant on the national market. Affected food operators are asked to act with reasonable due diligence to ensure compliance with the suspension, withdrawal, and recall of the affected products.

At LexSupplements, we provide information on developments affecting the food supplement sector and help food companies stay up to date with their obligations to market safe and legal products.