Selling Supplements in Ireland: FSAI Notification Guide

How to notify your food supplements to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, what your label needs for the Irish market, and what to plan for when bringing stock in from the UK.

1. Who needs to notify the FSAI

Every food supplement placed on the market in Ireland, including products sold online, must be notified to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). It must be notified before it is sold for the first time.

The duty to notify falls on the manufacturer if the product is made in Ireland, and on the importer if it is brought into Ireland. As we make your products in the UK and you bring them into Ireland under your brand, the notification is yours to submit. Make My Supps does not notify products on your behalf, because each product is notified with your own label.

Notification is not approval

The FSAI uses notifications to monitor food supplements on the Irish market. Submitting one doesn't mean the FSAI has approved your product or label; making sure it complies remains your responsibility.

2. What you need before you start

Information Where it comes from

  • Your final label artwork Your approved proof. The FSAI asks for a copy of the label
  • Product name, form and pack size Your label, for example Creatine Monohydrate, powder, 300g tub
  • Ingredients and amount per daily dose Your label and our Product Specification and Quality Report
  • Recommended daily dose and warnings The statutory text on your label template
  • Your business details Your Irish business name, address and contact details
  • Manufacturer details Ask us if the form requests them

Notify with your final, approved label. If you change the label or the product later, the notification needs updating.

3. How to notify

Create an account on the FSAI online notification system at notifications.fsai.ie. 1

Complete a notification for each product. Each product, size or flavour with its own label needs its own notification. 2

Upload your label and enter the product details listed above. 3

Submit and keep your reference number. The FSAI issues a reference number for each notification; keep it with your product records. 4

Notify before your first sale in Ireland, including online sales to Irish customers. 5

4. Your label for the Irish market

Ireland follows EU food law. The statutory content on our label template is built to the same rules, so the core text works for Ireland. Check these points before you approve your proof:

"Food Supplement" must appear on the label. Food supplements may only be sold pre-packed under that name.

Your business name and address must be your Irish business, as the business placing the product on the Irish market.

English is acceptable. Irish language text is optional.

Health claims must be authorised under EU rules. The claims in our templates and Claims Guide are EU- authorised, but check any claim you add.

The ℮ mark is recognised across the EU, including Ireland.

5. Registering your food business

Food businesses in Ireland must register with the Environmental Health Service of the HSE, which also inspects businesses that market food supplements. Register before you start trading, and keep your records of where each batch came from and who you sold it to.

6. Bringing stock in from the UK

Since Brexit, goods sent from Great Britain to Ireland are imports into the EU. Plan for these before your first order ships:

EORI number. You'll need an EU EORI number to import, which you can get from Irish Revenue.

Customs declarations. Your courier or a customs agent will usually handle these. Make sure they have your EORI number.

Duty and import VAT. Zero tariffs under the UK–EU trade agreement only apply to goods that meet its rules of origin, and supplements made from ingredients sourced outside the UK may not qualify. Import VAT is also due. Ask your customs agent or accountant what applies to your products.

Animal-origin products. Products such as bovine and marine collagen are subject to extra import controls and may need a health certificate. Get specialist advice before ordering these for Ireland.

Delivery costs to Ireland are calculated at checkout on our website. We can supply the commercial invoice and product information your courier or customs agent needs.

7. Ireland checklist

  • Irish food business registered with the HSE Environmental Health Service ☐
  • Label approved, with your Irish business name and address ☐
  • Claims checked against EU-authorised claims ☐
  • Account created on the FSAI notification system ☐
  • One notification submitted per product, with your label, before first sale ☐
  • FSAI reference numbers kept with your product records ☐
  • EU EORI number in place ☐
  • Courier or customs agent arranged, with duty and VAT understood ☐
  • Specialist advice taken for any animal-origin products ☐

Questions?

Email hello@makemysupps.co.uk or message us on WhatsApp on +44 7414 129170.

This guide is general information, not legal, customs or regulatory advice. Requirements can change; check fsai.ie and

Revenue.ie for current guidance, and speak to a customs agent or regulatory professional about your products.

Ready to start your own brand?

Make My Supps packs white label supplements in the UK from just ten tubs, with label templates that already carry the statutory information. See how it works, read how to start a supplement brand in the UK, or try a sample pot for £4.99.

Back to blog