Functional foods are products designed to provide supplementary nutrients, support health, or have preventive effects, often supplemented with ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other functional compounds.

The functional food testing services of the Academy of Medical Sciences ensure that functional food products meet the safety, quality, and efficacy standards set by regulatory agencies. These services include activities such as:

• Ingredient evaluation: Identifying and assessing the components of the product, including nutrients, herbs, or other supplements.
• Quality testing: Evaluating the quality and purity of the product's components, including testing for residual chemicals and heavy metals.
• Efficacy assessment: Conducting tests and analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of the product in providing the claimed health benefits.
• Safety testing: Determining the safety of the product for consumers, including testing for adverse effects and interactions with other medications.

Functional food testing services play an important role in ensuring that these products meet safety, quality, and efficacy standards, thereby protecting the health and safety of consumers. These services are provided by the Academy of Medical Sciences as part of its offerings.

The process of testing dietary supplements typically involves the following steps:

• Setting testing objectives: Define specific goals for the testing, including the parameters to be measured and the standards to be adhered to.
• Planning the testing: Determine the scope, number of samples to be tested, and appropriate testing methods.
• Sample collection: Obtain samples of the product from reliable sources.
• Sample preparation: Prepare the samples according to standard procedures to ensure the accuracy of the testing results.
• Conducting the tests: Use appropriate analytical methods and testing procedures to assess quality components, safety, effectiveness, and purity of the product.
• Evaluating the results: Compare the test results against established standards and assess the product's compliance.
• Reporting the findings: Compile and report the testing results in a detailed and accurate manner.
• Acting on the results: Based on the testing outcomes, take necessary actions such as improving production processes, drawing lessons learned, or withdrawing the product from the market if needed.
• Monitoring and retesting: Ensure continuity in testing and evaluating products to ensure reliability and safety for consumers.