A food supplement label tells you what a product contains and how much of it you get per serving. It also tells you how the product should be used. In England, some of this information is a legal requirement, so knowing what to look for makes products much easier to compare.
What must a food supplement label show?
Under the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, a food supplement sold to consumers must be labelled with:
- the category or nature of the nutrients or other substances that characterise the product
- the portion recommended for daily consumption
- a warning not to exceed the stated recommended daily dose
- a statement that supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet
- a statement that the product should be stored out of the reach of young children
- the amount of each vitamin, mineral or other substance with a nutritional or physiological effect, given as a number per recommended daily portion
Separate regulations apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Food Standards Agency publishes guidance for businesses on food supplements.
How to check the amount per serving
Start with the serving size, not the number on the front of the pack. A headline figure may describe a full daily serving of two or more capsules, so the amount in each capsule can be lower. Three quick checks help:
- Find the recommended daily portion, for example two capsules.
- Read the amount of the main ingredient per portion.
- Divide the pack count by the daily portion to see how many days the pack lasts.
What do extract ratios mean on a label?
Plant supplements often list an extract ratio such as 10:1 or 100:1. This describes roughly how much raw plant was used to make the extract, so 100:1 means about 100 g of plant for 1 g of extract. A ratio does not tell you how much of any specific compound is present. Some products are standardised instead, which means the label states a percentage of a named compound.
How to read health claims on supplements
In Great Britain, health claims on food must be authorised and appear on the GB nutrition and health claims register. You can search that register to see the exact wording that has been approved for a nutrient. Food supplements also cannot claim to prevent, treat or cure a disease, because that kind of claim is reserved for medicines. Words such as “treats”, “cures” or “heals” on a supplement are a warning sign.
Which warnings on a food supplement label come first?
Look for advice on pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, existing conditions and medicines. Some plant ingredients carry specific cautions, so read the whole pack rather than only the front. Our ashwagandha page is one example of a product with detailed safety guidance. If you have a medical condition or take medication, speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting a supplement.
Is every herbal product a food supplement?
No. Herbal products registered as traditional herbal medicines carry a THR mark and are regulated as medicines by the MHRA, not as food supplements. If a pack shows that mark, different rules apply to what it says.
Food supplement label checklist
- Is the amount per daily serving stated as a number?
- Does the headline figure match one capsule or a full serving?
- Is the extract ratio or standardisation explained?
- Are the warnings clear, and do any apply to you?
- Are any health claims worded as authorised claims, not promises?
You can browse our food supplements, including Alpha GPC and Tongkat Ali, or ask us if you cannot find a detail you need.
This article is general information and is not medical advice.
