Evaluation of the Morphological and Pharmacognostic Features of Dried Herbs and Their Label Information in Bulgarian Food Supplement Products

In Bulgaria, dried herbs are regulated as food supplements under current legislation, allowing their sale in pharmacies, drugstores, and grocery stores. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological pharmacognostic characteristics of dried herb content and the supplementary information provided on the labels of Bulgarian food supplements, in accordance with key standards and regulatory guidelines concerning herbal substance and food supplement quality. A total of 91 herbal substances from 10 major groups were examined, encompassing 103 commercial products produced by 8 different companies. The authenticity of the herbal materials was verified using both macro- and microscopic analyses. Macroscopic morphological parameters assessed as part of trade-commodity evaluation included color variations, presence of foreign plant parts, organic and mineral contaminants, and signs of disease or pest damage. Additionally, the phenological stage at which the herbs were harvested was determined. Results indicated that only a small fraction of the products fully complied with all selected quality criteria from the referenced standards, highlighting the need for more rigorous regulatory control.