Food supplement or herbal medicine?
A botanical product can be sold as a food supplement or licensed as a herbal medicine (through the MHRA’s Traditional Herbal Registration scheme). Only a registered medicine can say it is “traditionally used to relieve” a symptom. If a food supplement’s label, website or ads describe treating or preventing a condition, the MHRA may decide it is an unlicensed medicine.
Botanical health claims are “on hold”
Most health claims for plants were never assessed and are “on hold”. Under transitional rules, on-hold botanical claims can still be used in Great Britain if they are not misleading, are not medicinal and follow the general rules. Use them carefully, keep the wording modest, and keep evidence on file. If your product also contains vitamins or minerals, the authorised claims for those are the safer choice. See our health claims guide.
Extract ratios and equivalents
Botanical labels often say “Ashwagandha root extract 300 mg (equivalent to 3,000 mg dried root)”. That’s acceptable if it’s accurate, but:
- The actual extract amount should be the main figure in the nutrient table.
- The equivalent should be clearly secondary and not used to suggest a higher dose.
- Include the plant part (root, leaf, seed) and, ideally, the Latin name.
Standardised extracts
If an extract is standardised, such as turmeric to 95% curcuminoids, you can state the marker compound and its amount: “providing 285 mg curcuminoids”. It must match your supplier’s certificate of analysis for each batch.
Novel foods
A plant, or an extract made in a new way, that wasn’t eaten to a significant degree in the UK or EU before May 1997 may be a novel food and need authorisation. Concentrated extracts of familiar plants can also count. Check the status of every botanical before launch. See novel foods on supplement labels.
Safety warnings
Some herbs interact with medicines or aren’t advised in pregnancy. Add sensible advisory warnings, such as “Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women” or “If you are taking medication, consult your doctor before use”, where your supplier or adviser recommends them. See herbal supplement labels.
Not legal advice. This guide covers the general rules for food supplements sold in Great Britain. Check your own product with a regulatory adviser, your local Trading Standards team or your Primary Authority partner.