Vitamin D in food supplements
10,454 supplements declared in France contain a form of this nutrient
Vitamin D: in France, a food supplement may not provide more than 5 µg (200 UI) a day (Order of 9 May 2006, not revised since November 2006, Annex III); for adults, EFSA's upper safe limit is 100 µg (4,000 UI) a day. The doses of the 2006 Order have not been revised since the amending Order of 14 November 2006, and some were annulled by the Conseil d'État in 2011; the DGCCRF accepted higher levels for some nutrients through guidelines published until January 2019, and an update of the Order is being prepared (ministerial answer published in the Official Journal on 11 February 2025).
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.
Written Question No 2686, ministry answer published in the Official Journal on 11 February 2025.
What health agencies say
An opinion says what the agency recommends; it is not a rule binding on the product.
ANSM, with ANSES, poison centres and paediatric societies, reported vitamin D overdoses in young children (hypercalcaemia, kidney damage) linked to food supplements, some providing up to 10,000 IU per drop. It recommends checking doses carefully, not combining several products that contain it, preferring a medicine containing vitamin D and not buying these supplements online.
In plain words
À quoi il sert, selon les fabricants
Objectifs les plus souvent annoncés pour les compléments qui en contiennent (vitamine D) : immunité (3047 produits), os (1923 produits), articulations (738 produits), sport (656 produits), cheveux et ongles (628 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.
Jusqu'où c'est sûr
Pour un adulte, l'EFSAEuropean Food Safety Authority. fixe la limite supérieure de sécurité à 100 µg VDE/j : c'est l'apport quotidien qui, pris sur le long terme, ne devrait pas provoquer d'effet indésirable. Au-delà, le risque augmente. Un complément n'est qu'une partie de l'apport.
Précision de l'EFSA : 1 µg VDE = 1 µg cholécalciférol = 1 µg ergocalciférol = 0,4 µg monohydrate de calcidiol = 40 UI.
EFSA, Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (version 11, August 2025), retrieved 21 October 2026.
La règle en France
En France, la dose journalière recommandée d'un complément ne doit pas apporter plus de 5 µg (200 UI) (arrêté du 9 mai 2006, non révisé depuis novembre 2006). Compl'Alim ne publie pas la dose des produits déclarés : comparez celle de l'étiquette à ce plafond et à la limite de sécurité de l'EFSA.
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'EFSA porte sur l'apport total d'une journée, alimentation et compléments.
| Population | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0-6 months | Upper limit | 25 µg VDE/j |
| 7-11 months | Upper limit | 35 µg VDE/j |
| 1-3 years | Upper limit | 50 µg VDE/j |
| 4-6 years | Upper limit | 50 µg VDE/j |
| 7-10 years | Upper limit | 50 µg VDE/j |
| 11-14 years | Upper limit | 100 µg VDE/j |
| 15-17 years | Upper limit | 100 µg VDE/j |
| adults | Upper limit | 100 µg VDE/j |
| pregnancy | Upper limit | 100 µg VDE/j |
| breastfeeding | Upper limit | 100 µg VDE/j |
1 µg VDE = 1 µg cholecalciferol = 1 µg ergocalciferol = 0.4 µg calcidiol monohydrate = 40 IU
EFSA NDA Panel, 2018, 2023e. EFSA, Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (version 11, August 2025), retrieved 21 October 2026.
Maximum dose in France
Maximum daily dose per supplement in France: 5 µg, according to the Order of 9 May 2006.
The doses of the 2006 Order have not been revised since the amending Order of 14 November 2006, and some were annulled by the Conseil d'État in 2011; the DGCCRF accepted higher levels for some nutrients through guidelines published until January 2019, and an update of the Order is being prepared (ministerial answer published in the Official Journal on 11 February 2025).
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 D contributes to normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin D 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 D contributes to normal blood calcium levels »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin D 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 D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin D 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 D contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin D 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 D contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin D 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 D 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 D 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 D contributes to the normal function of the immune system in children. »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of vitamin D 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 D 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 D 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 D helps to reduce the risk of falling associated with postural instability and muscle weakness. Falling is a risk factor for bone fractures among men and women 60 years of age and older. »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food supplements which provide at least 15 μg of vitamin D per daily portion. Information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 20 μg of vitamin D from all sources. For food supplements with added vitamin D the claim may be used only for those targeting men and women 60 years and older - « Vitamin D is needed for normal growth and development of bone in children. »
Conditions: The claim can be used only for food which is at least a source of Vitamin D 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 1924/2006.
1 refused or revoked claim: they cannot appear on packaging
- « Vitamin D is needed for the normal / proper function of the thyroid. Vitamin D is needed for the proper regulation of blood calcium levels. »
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.
Official English text, as entered in the Union register. A claim may only be used under its conditions.
10 authorised claims, 1 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.
- Cholécalciférol 10,149 products on the Union list
- Ergocalciférol 313 products on the Union list