The rules that apply
Three pieces of law cover most of what goes on a supplement label in Great Britain:
- The Food Supplements Regulations 2003, with separate versions for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These add supplement-specific statements.
- Food information rules (retained Regulation 1169/2011). These cover the name, ingredients, allergens, dates, business address and text size for all foods.
- Nutrition and health claims rules (retained Regulation 1924/2006). These apply as soon as your label says what a nutrient does. See our health claims guide.
Northern Ireland follows EU food law under the Windsor Framework, so labels for NI must meet the EU versions of these rules.
The supplement-specific statements
The Food Supplements Regulations require all of these on the label:
- The name “food supplement”.
- The names of the categories of nutrients or substances that characterise the product, or what they are, such as “vitamins and minerals” or “with turmeric”.
- The recommended daily dose, such as “Take 1 capsule daily”.
- A warning not to exceed the stated recommended daily dose.
- A statement that food 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 nutrient or other substance per daily dose, in numbers and units.
- For vitamins and minerals, the amount as a percentage of the Nutrient Reference Value (%NRV). Use our %NRV calculator.
The label must not claim the product prevents, treats or cures disease, and must not suggest a balanced diet can’t provide enough nutrients.
General food information
| Item | What to show |
|---|---|
| Ingredients list | All ingredients in descending order by weight, including capsule shell, fillers and anti-caking agents. Additives by category and name or E number. |
| Allergens | Any of the 14 allergens emphasised in the ingredients list, for example in bold. |
| Net quantity | Weight or volume. Most capsule brands also show the count, such as “60 capsules”. |
| Date | A best before date, with any storage conditions needed to reach it. |
| Batch code | A lot mark so the batch can be traced and recalled. |
| Business name and address | A UK address for products sold in Great Britain. Products sold in NI need an NI or EU address. |
| Instructions for use | Where needed to use the product properly. The daily dose usually covers this. |
Food supplements are exempt from the standard “big 7” nutrition table (energy, fat, saturates and so on). The nutrient table with amounts per daily dose and %NRV takes its place.
Text size and legibility
Mandatory information must have an x-height of at least 1.2 mm. If the largest surface of the pack is under 80 cm², the minimum drops to 0.9 mm. The x-height is the height of a lower-case “x”, not the point size. In most fonts 1.2 mm works out at about 6 to 7 pt.
Text must also be easy to read: good contrast, not hidden by folds or seams, and not interrupted by other graphics. Small bottles often need a larger wraparound or a peel-and-reveal label to fit everything at a legal size.
Printable checklist
- “Food supplement” and the characterising nutrient categories
- Recommended daily dose
- Do-not-exceed warning
- Varied diet statement
- Keep out of reach of young children
- Amounts per daily dose with units, and %NRV for vitamins and minerals
- Full ingredients list with allergens emphasised
- Net quantity
- Best before date and storage conditions
- Batch or lot code
- UK business name and address
- Any health claims taken word for word from the register, with their conditions met
- Mandatory text at 1.2 mm x-height or more
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.