A Guide to Choosing Health Supplements Scientifically: Correct Consumption and Legitimate Identification Methods

How to Correctly Choose and Consume Health Foods

(1) Health foods should be selected based on their specific functions; avoid blind use.

(2) Health foods cannot replace medicines and should not be considered panaceas.

(3) Health foods should be consumed according to the instructions on the label.

(4) Health foods do not contain all essential nutrients and cannot replace regular food; maintain a normal diet.

(5) Do not consume health foods that have exceeded their expiration date or have spoiled.

IV. How to Identify Legitimate Health Foods

Consumers should possess certain scientific knowledge and common sense to rationally select health foods based on their health status and health goals. They should also understand the management regulations and identification methods for health foods to avoid being deceived.

1. Check the CFDA website for health food approval and registration information

The website of the State Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) provides information on the approval and registration of legitimate health foods. The website address is: www.sfda.gov.cn. Click on the "Health Foods" section to access the following page. 2. Recognizing the Labels and Markings of Health Foods

Consumers must carefully check the labels and markings on the packaging of health foods to make reasonable choices and consume them correctly. Improper use of health foods can not only be ineffective but may also have adverse effects.

A legitimate and qualified health food package or instruction manual should include the following:

(1) Names and contents of active ingredients. If the active ingredients cannot be clearly identified under current technological conditions, the names of the raw materials related to the health function must be indicated.

(2) Health functions. See Chapter 1 for details on the health functions that can be claimed.

(3) Suitable or unsuitable populations.

(4) Dosage and method of consumption.

(5) Storage conditions or methods.

(6) Production date and shelf life, etc.

(7) Health food logo: the classic blue hat logo.

(8) Health food approval number: Each blue hat logo is accompanied by an approval number from the Ministry of Health or the State Food and Drug Administration. However, due to changes in the approval authority for health food products in my country, the approval numbers before and after July 2003 differed slightly. (9) Production License Number: Check whether the health food packaging indicates the name of the manufacturer and its production license number. The production license number can be verified on the website of the provincial-level competent authority where the manufacturer is located.

(10) Chinese Labels for Imported Health Food Products: The Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that imported pre-packaged foods must have Chinese labels and instructions. The labels and instructions must comply with the provisions of Chinese laws and administrative regulations and the requirements of national food safety standards, clearly stating the country of origin of the food and the name, address, and contact information of the domestic agent. Pre-packaged foods without Chinese labels or instructions, or whose labels and instructions do not comply with regulations, shall not be imported. Imported health foods approved and registered in my country must also comply with this regulation and provide corresponding Chinese labels.

3. Learn to Identify the Naming and Prohibited Terms of Legitimate Health Food Products

The following content is prohibited in the naming of health foods:

① False, exaggerated, or absolute terms.

② Terms that explicitly or implicitly suggest therapeutic effects. ③ Personal names, place names, and Pinyin.

④ Letters and numbers, except for vitamins and other raw materials containing letters and numbers as stipulated by the state.

⑤ Symbols other than “”.

⑥ Words and local dialects that are difficult for consumers to understand.

⑦ Vulgar words or words with feudal superstitious connotations.

⑧ Words related to human tissues and organs, except for approved functional names that involve human tissues and organs.

⑨ Other words that mislead consumers. If any of the above terms appear, it is highly likely that the health food is illegal.

4. Learn to distinguish between legitimate and illegal health food advertisements.

The state has strict requirements and standards for health food advertisements. Claims regarding health functions, product efficacy/marker components and their content, suitable populations, and dosage in health food advertisements must be based on the contents of the instructions approved by the State Council's food and drug administration department and cannot be arbitrarily changed.

Health food advertisements must clearly indicate the health food product name, health food approval number, health food advertisement approval number, health food logo, and unsuitable populations for the health food. Health food advertisements must include the warning "This product cannot replace medication"; health food labels and warnings must always appear in television advertisements. Health food advertisements should guide consumers to use health foods rationally and must not contain the following:

(1) Claims or guarantees of product efficacy;

(2) Statements that using the product will lead to good health;

(3) Exaggerating or sensationalizing a health condition or disease, or describing the physical harm easily caused by a disease, to induce public anxiety or fear about their health, leading to the misconception that not using the advertised health food will cause a disease or worsen their health;

(4) Using technical jargon, mystifying language, or language indicating high technological content to describe the product's characteristics and mechanisms of action;

(5) Using or featuring the names and images of state organs and their affiliated institutions, medical institutions, academic institutions, or industry organizations, or using the names and images of experts, medical personnel, or consumers to endorse the product's efficacy. (6) Contains unverified claims of "scientific or research findings," "experimental or data proof," etc.

(7) Exaggerates the efficacy of health foods or expands the suitable population, explicitly or implicitly suggesting suitability for all symptoms and all populations;

(8) Contains terminology that is easily confused with pharmaceuticals, directly or indirectly promotes therapeutic effects, or explicitly or implicitly suggests that the health food has disease-treating effects by promoting the effects of certain ingredients. (9) Comparing health foods with other health foods, medicines, medical devices, etc., to belittle other products;

(10) Using feudal superstition in the promotion of health foods;

(11) Claiming that the product is a family secret recipe;

(12) Containing content such as money-back guarantee if ineffective, insurance coverage, etc.;

(13) Containing promises such as "safe," "no toxic side effects," "no dependence," etc.;

(14) Containing absolute terms and expressions such as the latest technology, the highest science, the most advanced methods, etc.;

(15) Claiming or implying that health foods are necessary for normal life or the treatment of diseases;

(16) Containing comprehensive evaluation content such as effectiveness rate, cure rate, ranking, awards, etc.;

(17) Directly or indirectly encouraging arbitrary or excessive use of health foods.