What a good supplement label states
Answer
Serving size, active content per serving, percentage NRV where relevant, declared excipients and capsule material, named testing, and a batch number. Six things, ninety seconds.
Key takeaways
- What is the core of it?
- Serving size and active content per serving, with a percentage NRV where a vitamin or mineral is involved.
- What else should be there?
- Declared excipients and capsule material, named testing rather than a slogan, and a batch number on the tub.
- What does the front of pack tell you?
- The form name, and otherwise the compound weight and the marketing.
The six things
Serving size in capsules or scoops. Active content per serving, from the panel. Percentage NRV where a vitamin or mineral is involved, because 15 percent is the minimum for any claim. Excipients and capsule material declared in the ingredients. Testing named specifically rather than described as tested for purity. And a batch number on the base of the tub.
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate states 750mg of bisglycinate per capsule, a two capsule serving, 300mg elemental, 80 percent NRV, declared excipients, UK manufacture to GMP standards, independent purity testing and a batch number, at 22p a day.
Why each one matters
The serving size anchors every other figure. The active content is what you are actually taking. The NRV percentage tells you whether a claim can legally be made. The excipients carry the allergen and dietary information. The testing tells you what was verified. And the batch number is what any certification, recall or query traces against.
A label missing any of them has removed something a buyer needs, and the missing item is usually the one that would have allowed a comparison.
The full version
- How to read a supplement labelThe full method, front to back.
- What to avoid on a supplement labelThe inverse: what should make you put a product down.
The product
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate is the 300mg elemental one at 22p a day, a two capsule serving covering 80 percent of the 375mg reference value, UK made and independently lab tested for purity.
- 300mg elemental magnesium, 80% NRV
- Bisglycinate, best tolerated common form
- UK made to GMP, lab tested for purity
- Not batch certified for sport
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
What should a good label state?
Serving size, active content, percentage NRV, excipients, named testing and a batch number.
Why does the NRV percentage matter?
15 percent is the minimum at which any claim can be made for that nutrient.
What is the front of pack for?
The form name. Otherwise it carries the compound weight and the marketing.
Where is the batch number?
Usually stamped on the base or side of the tub alongside the best before date.
Why does the serving size matter most?
Every other figure on the panel is anchored to it.
What if excipients are not declared?
That removes the allergen and dietary information a buyer needs, which is a compliance problem.