NMN

beta-nicotinamide mononucleotide

Sold freely in United States and unregulated in European Union. Same substance, same evidence, different decisions.

A NAD+ precursor sold for longevity and energy.

NMN shows how much a supplement's fate turns on regulatory category rather than on the molecule. In the US the FDA first said in 2022 that NMN could not be a supplement because it had been authorized for drug investigation, then reversed course in 2025 after an industry lawsuit and petition, so it is lawful again as a dietary ingredient. In the EU it is an unauthorised novel food with no lawful retail channel, though applications are moving through EFSA. In Japan it has been an approved food ingredient since 2020 and sells freely.

Where it stands, jurisdiction by jurisdiction

United States
Open, sold freely
Decided on: Evidence
The FDA excluded NMN from the dietary-supplement definition in 2022 after it had been authorized for investigation as a drug, but reversed that position on 29 September 2025 in its response to the Natural Products Association citizen petition (docket FDA-2023-P-0872), concluding NMN is not excluded because it was marketed as a supplement in the US before the drug authorization. Through December 2025 the FDA reinstated its earlier acknowledgments of NMN new-dietary-ingredient notifications, so NMN may again be sold as a dietary supplement.
- US FDA, citizen petition response docket on NMN dietary-supplement status (FDA-2023-P-0872, Sept 29 2025)
- NutraIngredients, FDA declares NMN lawful in dietary supplements (Sept 30 2025)
Japan
Open, sold freely
Decided on: Evidence
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare added NMN to its list of ingredients not classified as pharmaceuticals (the non-drug list) on 31 March 2020, so NMN is sold as an ordinary food and supplement ingredient with no specific dosage cap. Several NMN products have also been filed as Foods with Function Claims, making Japan one of the most open markets for NMN.
- Japan MHLW, Food with Health Claims, Food for Special Dietary Uses and Nutrition Labeling (regulatory framework for non-drug food ingredients)
- CIRS, Overview of NMN functional-food labeling filings in Japan (MHLW non-drug list, 31 March 2020)
European Union
Unregulated, unregulated, sold anyway
Decided on: Precaution
NMN is an unauthorised novel food in the EU, having no significant history of consumption before 15 May 1997, so it may not lawfully be placed on the retail market without novel-food authorization. Applications are pending, and EFSA issued a positive safety opinion on beta-NMN in 2026 (safe up to 300 mg per day for adults), but no EU authorization has been granted.
- European Commission, Novel Food summary of applications and notifications (beta-NMN listed as ongoing, not authorised)
- EFSA, Safety of beta-nicotinamide mononucleotide as a novel food (positive opinion, EFSA Journal 2026;24:e10007)

Regulatory positions change, sometimes quickly. Check the date on a source before relying on it.