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How to Choose a Supplement in South Africa: Labels, Lab Tests and Red Flags

Short answer: in South Africa, most supplements are regulated by SAHPRA as "Category D" complementary medicines, and many are sold legally before SAHPRA has evaluated them, which is why their labels must say so. To choose well, check the label for the exact ingredient, form and dose per serving, look for batch and manufacturer details, ask whether the brand can show lab testing, buy from trusted retailers, and walk away from anything that promises to cure a disease or melt fat fast. A pharmacist can check the product against your medicines in a few minutes.

The supplement aisle has never been more crowded. Pharmacies, health shops, gyms, Takealot, Instagram and TikTok all sell vitamins, herbs and gummies, and quality varies a lot. This guide explains how supplements are regulated in South Africa, how to read a label, what lab tests can and cannot tell you, and the red flags that should make you put a product back.

How are supplements regulated in South Africa?

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) regulates complementary medicines under the Medicines and Related Substances Act. Complementary medicines are classed as Category D and come in two sub-groups:

  • Discipline-specific medicines, from traditions such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, homeopathy, aromatherapy, Unani Tibb and Western herbal medicine;
  • Health supplements, modern products such as vitamins, minerals, probiotics and many herbal extracts, which are limited to low-risk uses and substances.

SAHPRA's framework dates from 2013 and was expanded in 2017. According to SAHPRA, products are being brought into formal registration in stages through "call-up" notices, and in the meantime complementary medicines may continue to be sold provided they meet the requirements set out in its guidelines.

What does the SAHPRA disclaimer on my supplement mean?

Under the 2017 General Regulations, the label of a complementary medicine must say "Complementary Medicine", state the discipline or "Health Supplement", and, if the product has not yet been registered, carry this statement:

"This unregistered medicine has not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use."

This is a legal requirement, not a sign that a product is dodgy. It simply tells you the regulator has not yet reviewed it. It does mean the job of judging quality falls more on you, the retailer and the brand, which is why the rest of this guide matters.

How to read a supplement label

A good label lets you answer five questions quickly:

  1. What exactly is in it? Look for the common and Latin name and the plant part, for example "ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera)".
  2. How much per serving? Check the amount in mg per serving and how many units make a serving. "3 gummies = 1 serving" matters when you compare prices.
  3. Is it an extract, and at what ratio? An extract ratio such as 10:1 means roughly 10 kg of raw herb was concentrated into 1 kg of extract. Some labels list the extract weight, others the "equivalent" raw herb weight, which makes the number look bigger. Standardised extracts may list a marker compound, such as a percentage of withanolides in ashwagandha.
  4. What else is in it? Sweeteners, gelatine or pectin, colourants and allergens should be listed. "Proprietary blend" hides individual doses, so you cannot compare them with research.
  5. Who made it? Look for a South African contact address, batch number, expiry date and storage instructions.

Lab tests, certificates of analysis and third-party testing

What is a certificate of analysis (COA)?

A COA is a lab report for a specific batch of an ingredient or finished product. Depending on what was tested, it may confirm the ingredient's identity, the amount of active compound, and that heavy metals, microbes and pesticides are within limits. When reading one, check:

  • that the batch number or product matches what you are buying;
  • the lab's name and the date;
  • which tests were done (identity, potency, contaminants) and the pass limits.

A COA for a raw ingredient from a supplier is useful but is not the same as testing the finished product on the shelf.

What do third-party seals mean?

Independent programmes such as US Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF International and ConsumerLab test products for what is on the label and for manufacturing quality. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that these seals indicate a product was properly made and contains the listed ingredients, but they "do not guarantee that a product is safe or effective." Competitive athletes who are drug tested should look for sport-specific certification programmes, as a contaminated supplement can still cause a positive test.

Red flags: when to put it back on the shelf

  • Cure or disease claims. Supplements may not claim to cure, treat or prevent diseases such as diabetes, cancer, depression or high blood pressure. A product that does is breaking the rules, which tells you something about the seller.
  • "Clinically proven" with no study named. Ask which study, in how many people, using which dose. Often it is a study on a single ingredient at a different dose, or a lab study.
  • Before-and-after photos and miracle testimonials. Reviews can be bought or fabricated. Be sceptical of perfect five-star pages, near-identical wording and reviews posted in bursts.
  • Rapid weight loss, "natural Viagra" or steroid-like muscle gains. These are the categories most likely to hide drugs (see below).
  • Prices that are too good to be true, unfamiliar sellers, misspelt packaging, missing batch numbers or no South African address.
  • Imported products with labels in another language only.

Hidden drugs in weight-loss and "performance" products

A study in JAMA Network Open (Tucker and colleagues, 2018) analysed US Food and Drug Administration warnings between 2007 and 2016 and found 776 adulterated supplements from 146 companies:

  • 45.5% were sold for sexual enhancement, 40.9% for weight loss and 11.9% for muscle building;
  • sibutramine, a weight-loss drug withdrawn because of heart risks, was found in 84.9% of the adulterated weight-loss products;
  • sildenafil (the active drug in Viagra) was found in 47% of the sexual enhancement products, and synthetic steroids in 89.1% of the muscle-building products;
  • 20.2% contained more than one hidden drug.

These were mostly products sold in the US, but many of the same brands are imported and sold online. In South Africa, the weight-loss injection boom has brought its own problems: in May 2026 SAHPRA and the South African Pharmacy Council announced a crackdown on the unlawful manufacturing of unregistered GLP-1/GIP medicines. If you are interested in these medicines, get them through a doctor and a registered pharmacy. Our guide to supplements on Ozempic and other GLP-1 medicines covers the basics.

Counterfeits and buying online

The World Health Organization estimates that at least 1 in 10 medicines in low- and middle-income countries are substandard or falsified, and notes that such products are often sold online or in informal markets. Supplements are not medicines in the strict sense, but the same advice applies: buy from the brand's own website, reputable pharmacies and retailers, or the brand's official store on large marketplaces, and check the seller name before you pay.

Talk to a pharmacist

Pharmacists are some of the most accessible health professionals in South Africa, and checking a supplement is quick for them. Take the product (or a photo of the label) and a list of your medicines. Ask:

  • Does this interact with anything I take? (For example, vitamin K with warfarin, St John's wort with antidepressants and the contraceptive pill, ashwagandha with thyroid medication.)
  • Is the dose sensible?
  • Is it suitable if I am pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a liver, kidney, thyroid or autoimmune condition?

The NIH also reminds consumers that "natural" does not always mean safe: some botanicals, such as comfrey and kava, can harm the liver.

Where Elevate fits

Each Elevate gummy lists its key ingredient and the mg per serving on its product page, and our FAQs cover ingredients and quality. Use Find Your Gummy to compare products by ingredient, and if anything is unclear, ask us before you buy.

See a doctor if…

  • you develop a rash, swelling, palpitations, chest pain, severe headache, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine after starting a supplement (stop it and seek care);
  • you have bought a weight-loss, sexual enhancement or muscle-building product and feel unwell;
  • you take regular medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are preparing for surgery;
  • you are using supplements to manage symptoms that have not been diagnosed.

In an emergency, call 112 from a cellphone or 10177 for an ambulance. You can report suspected side effects or problem products to SAHPRA.

Frequently asked questions

Are supplements regulated in South Africa?

Yes. SAHPRA regulates them as Category D complementary medicines, but many are still sold before evaluation while registration is phased in, and must carry a disclaimer saying so.

Does "not evaluated by SAHPRA" mean a product is unsafe?

No. It means the regulator has not yet reviewed it. It is a legal labelling requirement for unregistered complementary medicines.

How can I tell if a supplement is fake?

Check the seller, packaging quality, batch number, expiry date and South African contact details, and compare with the brand's own website. If in doubt, buy directly from the brand or a pharmacy.

What is a certificate of analysis?

A lab report for a batch, showing tests for identity, strength and contaminants. Check that it matches the product and states which tests were done.

Are more expensive supplements better quality?

Not necessarily. Price often reflects branding. Clear labelling, sensible doses and transparency about testing are better guides.

Sources

This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Elevate gummies are food supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition.

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