Supplement Guide – Ginomeds

Posted on: October 6, 2026

How to Read a Supplement Label in India: Health Supplement, Nutraceutical, RDA and More

Turn over any supplement pack sold in India and you will find a crowded panel of words and numbers: “Health Supplement”, “Nutraceutical”, “% RDA”, “NOT FOR MEDICINAL USE”. It can feel like reading a legal document. This guide explains what each part means, in plain words, so you can read any label with confidence.

Supplements are foods, not medicines

In India, products like vitamins, minerals and probiotic capsules are regulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under food law, not as medicines. FSSAI has set out specific categories and labelling rules for them in its Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals regulations. That is why these products are not allowed to claim that they treat or cure any disease.

The main categories, in simple words

Health Supplement

FSSAI describes a health supplement as a concentrated source of nutrients (like proteins, minerals, vitamins and amino acids) and/or other ingredients with nutritional or physiological effects, whose purpose is to supplement the normal diet. Think of a calcium and vitamin D tablet or a multivitamin.

Nutraceutical

A nutraceutical, as FSSAI describes it, contains extracts, isolates or purified compounds that offer a physiological benefit and help maintain good health. These ingredients come from a specific FSSAI-approved list. A product combining several such compounds with vitamins may be labelled “Nutraceutical”.

Dietary supplement or food supplement

You may also see words like “Dietary Supplement”, “Food Supplement” or “Dietary Food Supplement” on packs. FSSAI’s regulations allow the term “Health Supplement” to be used interchangeably with “Dietary supplements” or “Food supplements”. In everyday terms, they belong to the same family.

Other categories you may spot

Probiotic Food / Prebiotic Food: products built around live beneficial microorganisms, or the fibres that feed them.
Food for Special Dietary Use: products made for specific nutritional needs.
Food for Special Medical Purpose: products meant to be used only under medical advice; the label says so on the front.

What does “NOT FOR MEDICINAL USE” mean?

FSSAI requires most of these categories to print “NOT FOR MEDICINAL USE” prominently, in capital and bold letters. It is a clear reminder that the product is a food meant to support your diet, and is not a medicine. If your doctor has prescribed a medicine, a supplement is not a replacement for it.

Understanding RDA and % RDA

RDA stands for Recommended Dietary Allowance: the average daily amount of a nutrient that meets the needs of most healthy people. In India, RDAs are set by ICMR-NIN (Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Nutrition).

The % RDA column tells you how much of that daily amount one serving provides. For example:

“Zinc 10 mg – 58.8%” means one tablet gives a little over half the daily zinc reference value.
“** % RDA not established” means there is no official RDA for that ingredient (common for CoQ10, probiotics or plant extracts).

Remember that % RDA is usually calculated for an average adult, so your own needs may be different. Add up what you get from all your supplements to avoid taking too much.

Other important parts of the label

Composition / Nutritional information: each ingredient and its amount per tablet, capsule or sachet.
Other ingredients: fillers, binders, coatings and colours used to make the tablet or capsule.
Recommended usage: how much to take, plus the line “Not to exceed the recommended daily usage”.
“Not to be used as a substitute for a varied diet”: a reminder that food comes first.
Warnings and precautions: who should check with a doctor first, and any known interactions.
Storage: for example, “Store in a cool, dry place. Keep out of reach of children.”
Veg / non-veg symbol: a green dot for vegetarian, a brown dot for non-vegetarian (such as gelatin capsule shells).
FSSAI licence number: a 14-digit number you can verify through FSSAI’s FoSCoS licence verification.
Marketer and manufacturer: names and full addresses of the companies responsible.

A quick 5-step label check

Find the category (Health Supplement, Nutraceutical, etc.) on the front.
Read the full composition and % RDA.
Check the recommended usage and warnings.
Look for the FSSAI licence number and veg/non-veg symbol.
Show the label to your doctor before you start.

The takeaway

A supplement label is your best tool for making an informed choice. Once you know what each section means, you can compare products calmly and choose what genuinely fits your diet, with your doctor’s guidance.

Explore on Ginomeds: Citrium-D3 Tablets (labelled “Health supplement”) · Amazum Gold Tablets (labelled “Nutraceutical”, with a full %RDA table) · Imbiota-LF (labelled “Dietary food supplement”)

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Nutritional supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Posted on: October 6, 2026

How to Choose a Good Nutritional Supplement in India: A Simple Checklist

Walk into any pharmacy or scroll through any online store in India, and you will see shelves full of vitamins, minerals, protein powders and herbal blends. With so many choices, it is natural to feel confused. Which one is right for you? Which brand can you trust?

The good news: choosing a good nutritional supplement is not complicated once you know what to look for. Here is a simple, practical checklist you can use every time.

Start with food, not the bottle

A supplement is meant to supplement your diet, not replace it. The ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians (2024) encourage a varied diet built on whole grains and millets, pulses, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and dairy. FSSAI rules also require supplement labels to carry a line saying the product is not to be used as a substitute for a varied diet.

So before you buy, ask yourself a few honest questions:

Am I eating a mix of foods most days, or do I skip meals often?
Do I follow a restricted diet (for example, strictly vegetarian or vegan) that may leave some gaps?
Has my doctor or a blood test suggested that a particular nutrient may be low?

Your answers will help you understand whether you need a supplement at all, and if so, what kind.

Check the FSSAI licence number

In India, health supplements and nutraceuticals are regulated as foods by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Every genuine product should print a 14-digit FSSAI licence number on the pack, usually near the FSSAI logo.

How to verify it

FSSAI offers a public licence verification facility through its FoSCoS portal. You can enter the licence number and check that the name and address shown match the marketer or manufacturer printed on the pack. It takes only a minute and gives you real peace of mind.

Read the label carefully

A good label is clear and complete. Look for:

The category name on the front, such as “Health Supplement” or “Nutraceutical”.
The words “NOT FOR MEDICINAL USE”, which FSSAI requires on these products.
A full composition showing the amount of each ingredient per tablet, capsule or serving.
% RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for vitamins and minerals, so you know how much of your daily need one serving provides.
Recommended usage and a line asking you not to exceed it.
Marketer and manufacturer details with full addresses.
The veg (green) or non-veg (brown) symbol, which matters if you follow a vegetarian diet. Capsule shells, for example, can be gelatin-based.

If a product hides its composition behind words like “proprietary blend” with no amounts, that is a reason to pause.

Be wary of big promises

Under FSSAI regulations, supplements cannot claim to treat, cure or prevent any disease. So if a product promises dramatic results, overnight changes or a “miracle” solution, consider that a red flag. Honest products use calm language such as “supports”, “helps maintain” or “part of a balanced diet”.

Also be careful with words like “100% natural” or “no side effects”. Natural does not automatically mean right for everyone, and any active ingredient can interact with medicines.

Match the dose to your needs

More is not always better. Some vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E and K, are stored in the body, so very high intakes over time are not a good idea. Compare the % RDA on the label with what you already get from food and from any other supplements you take. Taking two or three products with overlapping ingredients is a common mistake.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist

This is the most important step. Your doctor knows your health history, your current medicines and your test results. As the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes in its guide to using dietary supplements wisely, some supplements can interact with prescription medicines, so it is worth telling every healthcare provider what you take.

Carry the pack or a photo of the label to your appointment. It makes the conversation quick and specific.

Buy from a trusted source

Choose stors most full product details, including composition and FSSAI number.
Check that the pack is sealed and the strip is not damaged when it arrives.
Store supplements as the label says, usually in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and out of reach of children.

Quick recap

Food first, verify the FSSAI licence, read the full label, ignore big promises, mind the dose, and always inve your doctor. Follow these steps and you will make calmer, smarter choices for your family’s wellness.

Explore on Ginomeds: Amazum Gold Tablets (once-daily multivitamin, mineral & antioxidant tablet with full %RDA listing) · BNF Forte Tablets (B-vitamins, minerals & antioxidants)