Supplement Label Requirements UK: What Your Label Must Include
The information every Make My Supps label needs, the sizes it must be printed at, the claims you can make, and the common mistakes that hold up your proof.
1. Before you start
Every product we pack for you is sold as a food supplement under UK food law. Food supplements have their own labelling rules on top of the general rules for food, so a supplement label needs more than a typical food label.
We send you a label template with the statutory information already in place. Build your branding around it and keep the statutory text exactly as supplied. This guide explains what each part is and why it is there.
You are responsible for your label
As the brand owner, you are legally responsible for everything on your label and for the product complying in every market where you sell it. Our template and this guide are a starting point, not legal advice. If in doubt, speak to your local Trading Standards service or a regulatory professional before approving your proof.
2. A complete label at a glance
Our Creatine Monohydrate 300g template. Your branding goes around this information; the statutory text stays as written.
3. What your label must include
Element What it needs to say
Product name The name of the product, for example Creatine Monohydrate, plus the words Food Supplement on the label.
Net quantity The weight of the contents, for example 300g, in the same field of vision as the product name.
Ingredients Every ingredient, in descending order of weight. A single-ingredient product still lists it, for example 100% Micronised Creatine Monohydrate.
Allergens
Any of the 14 regulated allergens must be emphasised in the ingredients list, for example in bold. If there are none, no allergen statement is needed.
Directions of use The recommended daily dose and how to take it, for example Take 1 scoop (5g) daily, mixed with water or a drink of your choice.
Amount per daily dose How much of each active substance the daily dose provides, for example Per 5g: creatine monohydrate 5g, providing creatine 4.4g.
Mandatory warnings The three statements required on every food supplement (see section 4).
Storage How to store the product once bought and once opened.
Best before and batch A plain white box with no text. We print the best before date and batch number at packing.
Business name and address Your business name and a UK address, as the business marketing the product.
Nutrition panel Our standard Nutrition Information panel and Supplement Facts panel, as on the template.
4. Statutory wording
Use this wording exactly. It is already on your template.
Mandatory warnings and guidance
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the stated recommended daily intake. Keep out of reach of young children. Not recommended for children or for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, use within 3 months.
Nutrition Information panel
Serving size and servings per pack, each nutrient per serving, and the %RI column. Where no reference intake exists, as with creatine, show a dagger (†) and the footnote †No reference intake established, plus *Reference intake of an average adult (8400kJ/2000kcal).
Supplement Facts panel
The same serving information in the Supplement Facts format, with *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet and †Daily Value not established, followed by Other Ingredients.
5. Minimum sizes
Legibility rules apply to all the mandatory information. These are the measurements we check at proof stage.
What Minimum size
Mandatory text x-height of 1.2mm (the height of a lowercase "x"). Only packs whose largest surface is under 80cm² may go down to 0.9mm.
- Net quantity figures, 200g to 1kg 4mm tall
- Net quantity figures, 50g to 200g 3mm tall
- Net quantity figures, 50g or less 2mm tall
- ℮ mark (if used) 3mm tall
As a guide, in a typical sans-serif font a 1.2mm x-height needs roughly 6pt type or larger. Thin, condensed or script fonts need to be bigger. Text must also contrast clearly with its background.
The ℮ mark
The ℮ next to the net quantity shows the product is packed under the UK average quantity system. It is optional, and it must be at least 3mm tall when used.
6. Claims
Health claims
A health claim links your product to a health benefit. Only claims authorised on the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register may be used, worded as authorised and only when the product meets the conditions of use. For creatine, the authorised claim is:
Creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 3g of creatine.
The second sentence is a condition of use and must appear alongside the claim. A 5g serving of creatine monohydrate provides 4.4g of creatine, so it meets the condition.
Claims you must never make
That a product prevents, treats or cures any illness or condition. These are medicinal claims and are not allowed on food.
Made-up health benefits, such as "boosts immunity", "detoxes" or "burns fat", unless that exact claim is authorised for your product.
Anything that suggests a balanced diet cannot provide adequate nutrients.
Other claims
Statements such as Suitable for vegans, Single ingredient or No gluten-containing ingredients are allowed if they are true for your product. Avoid "gluten free" unless testing shows gluten below 20mg/kg, and avoid "may contain" allergen warnings unless there is a genuine risk of cross-contamination.
The same rules apply to your website, Amazon listings and social media, not just the label.
7. Common mistakes
We see these on most first drafts
- "Food Supplement" missing
- Nutrition panel missing
- Text printed too small
- Net quantity too small
- Best before box filled in with text
And these cause rejections
- Unauthorised health claims
- "May contain" allergen warnings copied from another product
- Missing business name and UK address
- Statutory wording changed or shortened
8. Pre-approval checklist
Questions?
Email hello@makemysupps.co.uk or message us on WhatsApp on +44 7414 129170.
This guide is general information, not legal or regulatory advice. As the brand owner, you are responsible for your label
content and its compliance.
- The words "Food Supplement" appear on the label ☐
- Product name and net quantity are in the same field of vision ☐
- Ingredients, directions and amount per daily dose are correct ☐
- All three mandatory warnings are present, word for word ☐
- Storage text is present ☐
- Nutrition Information and Supplement Facts panels are present ☐
- Best before and batch area is a plain white box ☐
- Your business name and UK address are on the label ☐
- Any health claim is authorised, with its condition of use ☐
- All mandatory text meets the minimum size ☐
- Barcode added, if you sell through retail or marketplaces (see our barcode guide) ☐
Ready to start your own brand?
Make My Supps packs white label supplements in the UK from just ten tubs, with label templates that already carry the statutory information. See how it works, read how to start a supplement brand in the UK, or try a sample pot for £4.99.