Vitamin B12 in food supplements
10,191 supplements declared in France contain a form of this nutrient
Vitamin B12: in France, the maximum dose set in 2006 was annulled by the Conseil d'État in 2011.
Order of 9 May 2006, Annex III. French orders of 9 May 2006 and 14 November 2006 as published in the Official Journal (maximum daily doses), retrieved 21 October 2026.
EFSA, Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (version 11, August 2025), retrieved 21 October 2026.
In plain words
À quoi il sert, selon les fabricants
Objectifs les plus souvent annoncés pour les compléments qui en contiennent (vitamine B12) : immunité (1559 produits), sport (1263 produits), système nerveux (1133 produits), cheveux et ongles (754 produits), concentration (564 produits).
Ce sont les objectifs déclarés par les fabricants à l'administration, pas des effets démontrés. Sur l'emballage, seules les allégations de santé autorisées par l'Union peuvent être écrites.
Compl'Alim, food supplement declarations (France), retrieved 23 October 2026.
La règle en France
La dose maximale par complément que fixait l'arrêté du 9 mai 2006 a été annulée par le Conseil d'État en 2011 : aucun plafond chiffré par arrêté ne s'applique aujourd'hui en France à ce nutriment. Le fabricant reste responsable de la sécurité de son produit.
French orders of 9 May 2006 and 14 November 2006 as published in the Official Journal (maximum daily doses), retrieved 21 October 2026.
EFSA safety references
Le repère de l'EFSAEuropean Food Safety Authority. porte sur l'apport total d'une journée, alimentation et compléments.
| Population | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| all populations | Upper limit | no adverse effect defined |
SCF, 2000c. EFSA, Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (version 11, August 2025), retrieved 21 October 2026.
Maximum dose in France
The Order of 9 May 2006 set a maximum daily dose of 3 µg per product. The Council of State annulled this dose on 27 April 2011 (Decision No 295235): it no longer applies.
Order of 9 May 2006, Annex III. French orders of 9 May 2006 and 14 November 2006 as published in the Official Journal (maximum daily doses), retrieved 21 October 2026.
Authorised health claims
- « Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin B12 as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Vitamin B12 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin B12 as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Vitamin B12 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin B12 as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Vitamin B12 contributes to normal psychological function »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin B12 as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Vitamin B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin B12 as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Vitamin B12 contributes to the normal function of the immune system »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin B12 as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin B12 as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Vitamin B12 has a role in the process of cell division »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin B12 as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
6 refused or revoked claims: they cannot appear on packaging
- « Necessary for healthy teeth, bones, hair, skin and nails »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Necessary for healthy teeth, bones, hair, skin and nails »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Necessary for healthy teeth, bones, hair, skin and nails »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Necessary for healthy teeth, bones, hair, skin and nails »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Necessary for healthy teeth, bones, hair, skin and nails »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Necessary to maintain energy and general vitality »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food is not sufficiently defined to be able to be assessed and the claim could not therefore be substantiated.
Official English text, as entered in the Union register. A claim may only be used under its conditions.
8 authorised claims, 6 refused or revoked. EU Register of nutrition and health claims, retrieved 21 October 2026.
Forms declared in supplements
Union list: vitamin and mineral forms that may be used in a food supplement (Directive 2002/46/EC, Annex II).
Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements, latest consolidated version (Annex II: forms of vitamins and minerals), retrieved 23 October 2026.
- Cyanocobalamine 7,074 products on the Union list
- Méthylcobalamine 2,953 products on the Union list
- 5'-déoxyadénosylcobalamine 274 products on the Union list
- Hydroxocobalamine 206 products on the Union list