Mandatory warning statements on supplements

Sweeteners and sugars

• With sweeteners: “with sweetener(s)” alongside the name of the food.
• With added sugar and sweeteners: “with sugar(s) and sweetener(s)” alongside the name.
• Aspartame: “contains a source of phenylalanine”, or “contains aspartame (a source of phenylalanine)” where it's listed only by its E number.

These come from Regulation 1169/2011, Annex III.

Polyols

Where added polyols make up more than 10% of the product: “excessive consumption may produce laxative effects”. This is common on sugar-free gummies made with maltitol, sorbitol or xylitol.

Caffeine

Where caffeine is added for a physiological effect: “Contains caffeine. Not recommended for children or pregnant women”, followed by the caffeine content per daily dose. The statement goes in the same field of vision as the name of the food.

Liquorice

• “Contains liquorice” where glycyrrhizinic acid is 100 mg/kg or more.
• Add “people suffering from hypertension should avoid excessive consumption” at 4 g/kg or more.

Certain colours

Products with sunset yellow (E110), quinoline yellow (E104), carmoisine (E122), allura red (E129), tartrazine (E102) or ponceau 4R (E124) must carry “[name or E number of the colour(s)]: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”

Advisory statements for vitamins and minerals

UK government guidance recommends advisory statements for some nutrients at higher levels: for example vitamin B6, magnesium, iron near young children, vitamin A in pregnancy, and beta-carotene for smokers. They're guidance rather than law, but enforcement officers expect them. Use our safe upper levels checker to see where your amounts sit.