Top 5 Regulatory Mistakes on Supplement Labels (and How to Avoid Them)
If you're selling food supplements in the UK, your label isn’t just packaging — it’s a legal document. Yet, countless brands fall foul of avoidable regulatory mistakes that can trigger product recalls, fines, or lost listings with retailers.
At VMS Label, we’ve reviewed thousands of labels, and these are the five most common (and costly) errors we see — plus how to avoid them.
1. Making Health Claims on the Label
The Mistake:
Brands often include unapproved claims like “boosts immunity” or “improves gut health” on their packaging.
Why It’s a Problem:
Under UK and EU law, only authorised health claims from the EFSA register are permitted — and only if your formula meets specific conditions.
The Fix:
Stick to structure/function wording or use claims from the official register. Better yet, let us check it for you — we know what’s allowed and what’s not.
2. Font Size Too Small
The Mistake:
Designs that look beautiful on screen often end up unreadable in print, especially when ingredients or dosage details are squeezed in.
Why It’s a Problem:
Legally, the x-height of mandatory information must be at least 1.2mm. Anything smaller can render the label non-compliant.
The Fix:
Always proof your artwork at scale, and use a design partner (like us) that knows the minimum readable sizes by heart.
3. UK FBO Address Missing
The Mistake:
Many brands forget to include a UK-based Food Business Operator (FBO) address — especially those importing or drop shipping.
Why It’s a Problem:
Post-Brexit, if you're selling in the UK, your label must list a UK FBO — or your product can’t legally be sold.
The Fix:
Ensure your business, distributor, or fulfilment partner is listed with a full UK address. We check this on every label we review.
4. Including Unnecessary Warnings
The Mistake:
Some brands copy/paste generic warning statements from the internet or over-comply with drug-style safety language.
Why It’s a Problem:
Unnecessary warnings (e.g. "Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease - this is only for American products!) can confuse consumers, attract scrutiny, and damage consumer trust.
The Fix:
Use only legally required warnings based on your product category. We will guide you towards the warnings required for UK regulations.
5. Allergens Not Listed Correctly
The Mistake:
Allergens are sometimes missing, mislabeled, or buried in ingredient lists without proper highlighting.
Why It’s a Problem:
This is a serious legal and consumer safety issue. Allergens must be clearly identified — usually in bold within the ingredients list.
The Fix:
Know your 14 major allergens. Always state them clearly and in the correct format. Our label checks include allergen compliance as standard.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes is Easier Than You Think
At VMS Label, we don’t just design beautiful packaging — we design compliant packaging. Every label we create is checked against UK & EU regulations, so you can focus on growing your brand without worrying about enforcement issues.
Want your label reviewed?
Contact us today or check out our Regulation Checklist to see how your current label holds up.