Food supplements for athletes: what the texts say
Maximum doses set in France for caffeine, carnitine and creatine, and opinions of health agencies on supplements for athletes (muscle development, fat loss, amino acids, beta-alanine).
A sports supplement is not assessed before it goes on sale: its declaration is not an authorisation. ANSES points out that an adulterated supplement can lead to a positive doping test; the French standard NF V 94-001 describes how to make products free of prohibited substances (opinion 2014-SA-0008).
What health agencies say
An opinion says what the agency recommends; it is not a rule binding on the product.
ANSES advises against supplements aimed at muscle development or fat loss for people with cardiovascular risk factors, heart disease, impaired kidney or liver function or neuropsychiatric disorders, and for children, adolescents and pregnant or breastfeeding women. It advises against caffeine before and during exercise, and against combining several supplements or taking them with medicines.
Maximum dose in France 3
- Caféine
La quantité présente dans la portion journalière recommandée ne doit pas dépasser 200 mg.
- Carnitine
La quantité présente dans la portion journalière recommandée ne doit pas dépasser 2 000 mg. Toutes les formes d'apport contiennent une carnitine de haute pureté chimique (99 % de l'énantiomère L).
- Créatine
La quantité présente dans la portion journalière recommandée ne doit pas dépasser 3 000 mg.
Arrêté du 26 septembre 2016, annexe I. French orders of 9 May 2006 (nutrients), 24 June 2014 (plants) and 26 September 2016 (other substances), consolidated LEGI collection, retrieved 23 October 2026.
Opinions of health agencies on an ingredient 8
- Caféine
In its opinion on supplements for athletes, ANSES advises against supplements containing caffeine before and during sport, and for people sensitive to its effects.
ANSES, 7 November 2016, 2014-SA-0008
- L-isoleucine
The BfR derived, for adults, a guidance value of 2.2 g per day for isolated isoleucine (alone or with the other branched-chain amino acids) taken in addition to the normal diet. It is based on animal data with uncertainty factors.
BfR, 20 December 2019, 052/2019
- L-leucine
The BfR derived, for adults, a guidance value of 4.0 g per day for isolated leucine (alone or with the other branched-chain amino acids) taken in addition to the normal diet. It is based on animal data with uncertainty factors.
BfR, 20 December 2019, 052/2019
- L-valine
The BfR derived, for adults, a guidance value of 2.0 g per day for isolated valine (alone or with the other branched-chain amino acids) taken in addition to the normal diet. It is based on animal data with uncertainty factors.
BfR, 20 December 2019, 052/2019
- Spirulina major Kützing ex Gomont
ANSES points out that spirulina products may be contaminated (cyanotoxins, bacteria, trace metals) and recommends the best-controlled supply chains (compliance with French rules, traceability, identified manufacturer). Apart from contamination, spirulina does not seem to present a risk at low doses, up to several grams a day for adults. ANSES advises against it for people with phenylketonuria, an allergic background or a muscular or liver vulnerability; it is not a reliable source of vitamin B12.
ANSES, 4 August 2017, 2014-SA-0096
- Spirulina maxima (Setchell & N.L.Gardner) Geitler
ANSES points out that spirulina products may be contaminated (cyanotoxins, bacteria, trace metals) and recommends the best-controlled supply chains (compliance with French rules, traceability, identified manufacturer). Apart from contamination, spirulina does not seem to present a risk at low doses, up to several grams a day for adults. ANSES advises against it for people with phenylketonuria, an allergic background or a muscular or liver vulnerability; it is not a reliable source of vitamin B12.
ANSES, 4 August 2017, 2014-SA-0096
- Spirulina P.J.F.Turpin ex M.Gomont
ANSES points out that spirulina products may be contaminated (cyanotoxins, bacteria, trace metals) and recommends the best-controlled supply chains (compliance with French rules, traceability, identified manufacturer). Apart from contamination, spirulina does not seem to present a risk at low doses, up to several grams a day for adults. ANSES advises against it for people with phenylketonuria, an allergic background or a muscular or liver vulnerability; it is not a reliable source of vitamin B12.
ANSES, 4 August 2017, 2014-SA-0096
- Spirulina platensis (Gomont) Geitler
ANSES points out that spirulina products may be contaminated (cyanotoxins, bacteria, trace metals) and recommends the best-controlled supply chains (compliance with French rules, traceability, identified manufacturer). Apart from contamination, spirulina does not seem to present a risk at low doses, up to several grams a day for adults. ANSES advises against it for people with phenylketonuria, an allergic background or a muscular or liver vulnerability; it is not a reliable source of vitamin B12.
ANSES, 4 August 2017, 2014-SA-0096