Italy: dietitians, jobs and the nutrition industry

Regulator / credentialing body

Ministry of Health - regulated health profession (Albo dei dietisti)

Professional title

Dietista; biologo nutrizionista

Title protection

Yes - dietista is a regulated health profession with a professional register

Professional body

FNO TSRM e PSTRP (federation holding the dietitians' professional register)

Supplement regulation

Ministry of Health notification of food supplements (integratori)

Region

Europe

How the profession is regulated

The dietista is a regulated health profession in Italy. Dietitians complete a three-year degree in dietetics (laurea in dietistica) with clinical placements, which qualifies them to practise, and must register with the professional order. Since 2018, the health professions reform has brought dietitians into the professional orders system; dietitians are registered in the professional register within the federation of the orders of health technical, rehabilitation and prevention professions (FNO TSRM e PSTRP). Continuing medical education (ECM) is mandatory.

Two other professions provide nutrition care. Biologi nutrizionisti, biologists registered with their own order, may prepare dietary plans for healthy people and, in some circumstances, for people with conditions. Medical doctors, including specialists in food science and nutrition, diagnose and treat nutrition-related disease. The boundaries between the three professions are a long-running subject of debate.

The market in numbers

The industry association Integratori & Salute, part of Unione Italiana Food, estimates the Italian food supplement market at about €4.5 billion a year^[1], one of the largest in Europe. Pharmacies are the dominant channel, followed by parapharmacies, large retailers and online sales.

Strengths of the Italian market

• The Mediterranean diet. Italy's food culture, recognised by UNESCO as part of the Mediterranean diet's intangible cultural heritage, gives Italian nutrition a global reputation.
• A large pharmacy-led supplement market. Italians buy supplements mainly in pharmacies, where pharmacists advise on use.
• Strong domestic companies. Alfasigma, Angelini, Aboca, known for natural medical devices and herbal products, Named and Specchiasol are among the Italian players.
• Contract manufacturing. Italy has a dense network of contract manufacturers for supplements, especially in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, supplying brands across Europe.
• Research. Italian universities and research centres are prominent in nutrition, gut microbiome and Mediterranean diet research.

Opportunities

For practitioners

Dietitians work in hospitals, the national health service (SSN), nursing homes, community services, private practice, sports, catering and industry. Obesity, diabetes, cancer and older-adult nutrition drive demand. Private practice is widespread, and collaboration with doctors and biologists is common. Industry roles in regulatory affairs and scientific communication are available in Italy's large supplement sector.

For companies

Italy combines a large domestic market with a strong export manufacturing base. Probiotics, magnesium and potassium, multivitamins, immune products and botanicals are major categories. Botanicals are a particular strength: Italy, Belgium and France developed a common list of plants (the BELFRIT list) to harmonise botanical use in supplements.

How food supplements are regulated

Italy implements the EU Food Supplements Directive through Legislative Decree 169/2004. Before first placing a product on the market, the company notifies the Ministry of Health with a label sample; the product then appears on the ministry's public register of notified supplements. The ministry publishes lists of permitted substances, including botanicals and their conditions of use, and guidelines on doses for vitamins, minerals and other substances such as probiotics. Health claims follow EU rules. Italy's system is detailed and well documented, which makes it a frequent reference for other EU countries.

Public health priorities

Italy's national dietary guidelines, published by the research centre CREA, promote the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Policy focuses on childhood obesity, salt reduction, school catering and healthy ageing. Italy has opposed mandatory Nutri-Score in the EU, proposing its own NutrInform Battery label instead, a debate that reflects the importance of traditional foods such as olive oil, cheese and cured meats.

Practical notes

For internationally trained dietitians

EU-trained dietitians apply for recognition under the EU Professional Qualifications Directive through the Ministry of Health; non-EU qualifications are also assessed by the ministry and may require compensatory measures. Italian language skills are essential, and registration with the professional register is required.

For companies entering Italy

Check ingredients, especially botanicals, against the ministry's lists and dose guidance, use only authorised health claims, label in Italian, notify the Ministry of Health before sale, and plan pharmacy distribution with medical and scientific support. Italian contract manufacturers can supply products for the whole EU. Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona is the region's main trade show; see the events calendar.

Suppliers, manufacturers and retailers in Italy

Notable companies headquartered in Italy across supplements, medical nutrition, ingredients and retail. This is an information list, not an endorsement; companies can claim and expand their profile through a supplement company membership.

Events and trade shows

No major international nutrition trade show with confirmed dates is scheduled in Italy right now. The nearest large events are on the worldwide events calendar, which lists dates checked on each organiser's site.

How Italy fits the global picture

Worldwide, 2.6 billion adults were living with overweight in 2024, and 940 million of them with obesity^[2]. Diabetes affects 589 million adults aged 20 to 79^[3]. The global dietary supplements market was valued at US$209.5 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach US$431.7 billion by 2033^[4]. Those three numbers frame demand for dietitians and nutrition products in every country on the Global Hub.

More countries in Europe

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