Permissible and prohibited claims
Permissible claims
A health supplement can come with claims that support or maintain health, well-being or physiological process. These claims can be classified as general claims, or specific claims to maintain or enhance a specific body function or structure.
Examples of general health claims:
- Support for good health and growth
- Supplement the body for growth and development
- Strengthen the body
- Relieve general tiredness or weakness
Examples of specific health claims:
- Support / maintain healthy joints
- Support the immune system or blood circulation
- Manage mild discomfort associated with menopausal symptoms
- Assist in maintaining joint mobility
Refer to the List of Health Supplement Claims88 KB for more examples.
Prohibited claims
Health supplements must not be labelled, advertised or promoted for any medicinal purpose. This includes implied claims for the treatment or prevention of any disease and disorders.
Here is a list of examples of diseases and disorders:
Body system or organs |
Examples of related claims not allowed |
Blood & circulatory system
|
Hypertension, stroke, cholesterol disorders, reduces cholesterol, regulates platelet aggregation, coagulation defects, arteriosclerosis |
Brain & nervous system |
Epilepsy, fits, paralysis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinsonism, dementia, neuropathies, drug addictions, depression, eating disorders
|
Digestive system |
Ulcers, gastritis, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, diarrhoea, constipation, inflammation of the intestines, liver or pancreas
|
Endocrine system |
Diabetes, thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism, prostate diseases, thymus disorders, hormonal regulation |
Eye, ear, nose & throat |
Blindness, cataract, deafness |
Immune system |
Leprosy, AIDS, allergies, immunisation |
Metabolic systems |
Obesity, gout |
Muscular, connective tissues and skeletal system |
Osteoporosis, arthritis, sclerosis, autoimmune diseases, sclerosis, inflammation of joints, dental and periodontal diseases |
Renal system |
Kidney stones, renal failure, nephritis, urinary tract infection, incontinence, cystitis |
Reproductive systems |
Menstrual disorders, sexual dysfunction, infertility, frigidity impotency, conception, pregnancy |
Respiratory system |
Asthma, tuberculosis, bronchitis, sinusitis, cough, cold, flu |
Skin, hair & nails |
Fungal infection, eczema, ulcers, warts, moles, pigmentation disorders, alopecia
|
Others |
Cancers, infectious diseases, inflammatory conditions or diseases |
Product names that, in the context of other claims, infer the use of the product to prevent, manage or treat a disease or condition should also not be used. Examples include GlucoTreat, CholCure, ColdCure and GoutX.
Objectionable terms and claims include the following terms and phrases:
- Miraculously
- The only product to use
- World's best
- 100% safe
- No side effects
- Guaranteed
- Other drugs or products cannot compare with it
- Sensational relief
- The No. 1 (unless substantiated)
- Efficacious or effective
- Perpetual youth
- Anti-aging
- Longevity
- Anti-stress (unless qualified)
- Breast enhancement, enlargement, growth
- Height growth
- Enhance intelligence or increase IQ
- Increase or improve memory
- Memory enhancement
- Hormone releaser, enhancer or amplifier.
- Regulate hormone
- Enhancement of sexual organs
- Sexual powers
- Arousal or libido
- Prevent hangover
- Replaces a balanced diet
- Replaces a healthy lifestyle