Comparison
Infographic: read a joint supplement label in six steps
Front label, daily serving, ingredients, excipients, warnings and responsible operator: this sequence prevents many poor comparisons.
The essentials
Step 1: separate the product category from the slogan.
Step 2: convert amounts to the recommended daily serving.
Step 3: check allergens, capsule shell, storage and supplier.
01
The order in which a label should be read
A label has a front that sells and a back that informs. Start at the back. The sensible order is: directions for use, nutrition and ingredient table, ingredient list, warnings, storage, responsible business, batch and best-before date.
Starting at the front means reading the claim before the facts. Starting at the back means having the facts before the claim can work.
02
Steps 1 to 3: serving, amounts, ingredients
The directions define the reference unit for everything else. If they say "2 capsules daily", every figure given per daily serving refers to two capsules. Tables often list both side by side, and confusing them is the most common reading error.
The ingredient list is ordered by descending weight, so what appears late is present in small amounts. Excipients such as anti-caking and flow agents usually sit at the end, followed by the capsule material.
03
Steps 4 to 6: warnings, responsible party, batch
Warnings name groups the product is not intended for and the standard instruction not to exceed the daily serving. The statement that a supplement is not a substitute for a balanced diet is mandatory.
The responsible business with a real postal address shows whom to contact if something goes wrong. Batch number and best-before date allow the product to be traced in a query or a recall.
04
The graphic in text form
The scheme on this page reduces to one sentence: establish the serving, convert amounts to that serving, read ingredients in order, check warnings, find the responsible party, note the batch.
When comparing two products, complete these six points for both before looking at price. In most cases the decision is already made by then.
Flexaten · 30
Flexaten capsules: clear product information for everyday use
Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.