New tool helps work out whether a product is a therapeutic good or food

The TGA has updated information on its website to assist importers, manufacturers and suppliers to determine whether their products are food or therapeutic goods. Such products are described as being at the food-medicine interface.

An interactive Food-Medicine Interface Guidance Tool and related explanatory material is available on the website to help work out whether or not a product is a therapeutic good (and thus a medicine).

Manufacturers and importers of products need to know whether products are regulated as medicines or as food because different regulatory requirements apply.

Consumers may also want to check if the products they are using or buying are medicines (regulated by the TGA and subject to advertising and other requirements in the therapeutic goods legislation) or food (regulated by state and territory food regulatory bodies).