Is it ‘Food’ or ‘Medicine’?

For some foods and supplements the way they are used, or the health claims made about them can determine if they are classified as either a ‘food’ or ‘medicine’ (therapeutic).

Watch Helen Truby, discuss how it is not always clear cut as to whether a food or supplement is classified as a food or a medicine; sometimes there is potential for regulatory overlap. In Australia this overlap is referred to as the ‘food-medicine’ interface.

How a country defines ‘foods’ and ‘medicines’ may differ. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is the regulatory body in Australia which regulates therapeutic goods and can help determine when and how foods or supplements may be used or called ‘medicine’.

Talking point

Read the Food and medicine regulation page on the TGA website, return to this step and then in the Comments consider sharing with other learners you thoughts on the following question:

• What’s the name of the organisation in your country that regulates medicine?
• How do they determine if something is a medicine or food?

Don’t forget to contribute to the discussion by reviewing the comments made by other learners, making sure you provide constructive feedback and commentary.

Remember you can also ‘Like’ comments or follow other learners throughout the course.