Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002136/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Liesbet Sommen (PPE)
Keeping or becoming fit is becoming very popular among young men, one factor in this being social media. Though that, in itself, is a healthy pastime, the increased consumption of all sorts of food supplements, many of which are not certified to European standards, poses health risks.
Young people are confronted with unrealistic ideals of beauty on social media, which are promoted in many instances by ‘fitfluencers’ who themselves use supplements that may or may not be deliberately contaminated with anabolic steroids. On 9 April the Flemish public broadcaster VRT transmitted a report on this[1] . During the programme, several scientists maintained that a significant number of supplements marketed to young people through channels such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are contaminated with anabolic steroids and/or carcinogenic substances without young people being aware of that fact.
- 1.Is the Commission aware of this worrying development? Does it intend to act as coordinator in dealings with Member States in order to address this cross-border health threat?
- 2.We realise that there are notification and information systems which issue warnings about dangerous products within the EU. Is the Commission nonetheless prepared to take further steps, in cooperation with Member States, to move towards a more effective and coordinated policy?
Submitted: 28.5.2025
- [1] https://www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/pano/2025-vj-/pano-s2025-vj-a4/