Health supplement claims

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

Truthfulness

Nature, quality and properties of the health supplement should be truthfully stated. Claims should not be misleading by way of ambiguity, exaggeration or omission. They should not also imply that the product is a medicine. Avoid unqualified superlatives.

Avoid putting claims in slogans, taglines and headlines due to their brevity and tendency to be misinterpreted.

Substantiation

All claims should be substantiated by good quality evidence that is relevant to the claims. Evidence should come from authoritative references, documented history of use, scientific opinion from scientific organisations or regulatory authorities and good-quality scientific evidence from human studies. Evidence may be based on the finished product, or its ingredients, if justifiable.

It is the dealer's responsibility to hold these evidence and provide them to us when required.

Endorsements and testimonials from healthcare professionals

Testimonials or recommendations by healthcare professionals should not be used in the product label, advertisement or promotion materials.

Testimonials by non-professionals

Testimonials and endorsements are permitted if they are genuine and related to the personal experience of the individuals who provide the statement. The dealer needs to hold proof of identity of these individuals and substantiation that such testimonials reflect the typical experience of ordinary users.

Testimonials that are obsolete or no longer applicable should not be used.

Claims related to traditional use

The product should not be associated with any traditional healing paradigm, as it is not a traditional medicine.

Logos, initials and trademarks

Be sure to obtain the permission of the relevant firm, company or institution before using their name, initials, logo or trade service marks on your product label, advertisements and promotions.

The names and logos of HSA and its professional groups cannot be used for any health supplement product materials and advertisements.

Discourage from medical advice

Product claims should not create the impression that the public need not seek medical advice.

Exploitation of fear

Claims should not arouse fear or exploit the public's superstition.

Reference to stress

The product cannot claim to prevent or reduce the stress of modern living. Any reference to stress management should be explained. For example, a product assists in stress management by providing nutritional support.

Reference to performance in studies

Claims cannot imply that the consumption of the product can improve performance in studies, make a person smarter, improve IQ or improve memory.

Reference to anti-ageing

The product cannot claim to prevent, retard or reverse the physiological changes and degenerative conditions brought about by or associated with ageing.

Reference to sexual function and relationships

The product cannot claim or be implied to induce sexual virility or manage sexual weakness or sexual excess and conditions such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction. Claims should not imply that the use of the health supplement can affect one’s love life or relationship with others.

Reference to consumption

Claims should not encourage indiscriminate, unnecessary or excessive use of the health supplement.

Claims should not imply that consumption of the product can substitute a healthy lifestyle and can replace a balanced and varied diet.

Reference to hormonal levels 

Claims should not suggest that the product can increase, decrease, balance or manage hormone levels or its production.             

Reference to blood sugar levels

There must not be any direct or indirect claims that a product can lower or raise blood sugar or glucose levels outside the normal healthy range in an individual. The product must also not refer to use in pre-diabetic or diabetic individuals, or those predisposed to diabetes. Claims should not refer to blood sugar biomarker terminology such as insulin or HbA1C.              

Claims of safety

The product cannot claim or be implied to have no adverse effects or side effects. Terms such as "100% safe" are not allowed. It should not be suggested that product safety is the result of it being "natural".

Use of scientific data

Do not use scientific data that the general public cannot verify or validate.

Seller should not misuse or exaggerate research results or extract unnecessary quotations from technical and scientific publications to imply a greater validity than they really have.

Avoid terms like "proven by clinical trials" or "clinically proven" for health supplements as it implies treatment efficacy in a disease or medical condition or that the scientific study conducted on the product has passed the same strict efficacy standards applicable for medicines.

Language

Claims should be in simple language. Avoid confusing jargons and scientific terms such "nanoclusters" and "pharmaceutical grade".

Conformance with SCAP

The Singapore Code of Advertising Practice (SCAP) regulates all local advertising activities. All health supplement advertisements must also comply with the SCAP guidelines.