4. Labeling Requirements

Dietary Supplements
New Zealand

This section provides information on labeling requirements and the label approval process.

4.1 Mandatory Labeling Parameters

The labeling requirements of dietary supplements are prescribed by the regulations [1]. The label must indicate:

1. the common name of the dietary supplement, or a description (other than the brand name of the dietary supplement) sufficient to indicate the true nature of the dietary supplement or a description of the dietary supplement including the common names of its principal ingredients,
2. a statement of the net weight or volume or number of the contents of the package or container, whichever measure is appropriate for the retail sale of the dietary supplement concerned, 
3. the trading name and business address of the manufacturer or seller or packer of the dietary supplement, or of the owner of the rights of manufacture, or of the principal or the agent of any of them, 
4. a consumer information panel that complies with Clause 9 of [1],
5. the words “dietary supplement”,
6. a batch number,
7. a date mark, being an expression in one of the following forms:
   1. use by (followed by a date); or
   2. not to be consumed after (followed by a date); or
   3. words of similar meaning (followed by a date); the relevant date, in any case, being no later than 5 years after the date of manufacture (no date format has been defined)
8. a statement of the recommended daily dosage (for an adult) both as to quantity and frequency, which shall not exceed the maximum daily dose permitted by Clause 3 of [1], and, if the dietary supplement is suitable for children, the recommended daily dose for children,
9. a warning in any case where a danger exists if an overdose is taken,
10. the method of preparation before use (where necessary).

Note: Dietary Supplements are NOT regulated as foods and therefore do not require a Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) on their labels.

4.2 Languages

There are no language requirements specific to “Dietary supplements”. It should comply with section 4.2 of the “General Foods” guidebook for New Zealand.

4.3 Mandatory Information on Stickers

The NZ dietary supplement regulations do not specifically cover over-stickering. Please refer to section 4.3 of the "General Foods" guidebook for New Zealand.

4.4 Product Legal Name

Dietary Supplements must indicate the legal name “Dietary Supplement”. Please refer to point (e) in Section 4.1.

4.5 Product-specific Labeling Statements

Clause 11 of [1] prohibits therapeutic claims on product labels. Refer to section "5. Claim requirements" for more information on the types of permitted claims. All statements on product labels must be true; false and misleading information is prohibited under Clause 10 of [1].

Businesses need to comply with the Fair Trading Act 1986 [2] in particular Clause 10 (Misleading conduct in relation to goods), Clause 12A (Unsubstantiated representations), and Clause 13 (False or misleading representations).  

New Zealand's country-of-origin labeling rules [3] do not currently apply to Dietary Supplements.

4.6 Authority Approval

No label approval is required.

4.7 Additional Notes on Labeling

Label presentation 

Clause 6 of [1] requires the text to be legible and durable. Clause 7 sets out information in relation to the use of capitalization and minimum text height, with allowances for small packages. The main label (principle display panel) is required to include items (a), (b), and (e) as described in Section 4.1 above. Clause 9 of [1] outlines the information that must be included on the Consumer Information Panel (i.e. the statement of ingredients (including units), the inactive ingredients (by class name or ingredient name), and the storage instructions).

Common Australian - New Zealand Labels

It is common practice for companies to market an Australian Complementary Medicine (AUST L only) under a common label with a New Zealand Dietary Supplement. This can only occur when limits on ingredients are in harmony (New Zealand and Australia sometimes have different permitted maximum limits for some vitamins and minerals). Such products have labels that bear both an AUST L number and the term “Dietary Supplement” on the main panel. The product indications are designed to meet both regulatory regimens. This often is used when an Australian company markets the same formulation in New Zealand without the added expense of a dedicated New Zealand label for small commercial runs due to the market size in New Zealand.

4.8 References

1. Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985

https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1985/0208/latest/DLM102109.html

2. Fair Trading Act 1986

https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0121/latest/DLM96439.html

3. Consumer Information Standards (Origin of Food) Regulations 2021

https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2021/0097/latest/whole.html

4. Food Regulations 2015

https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2015/0310/latest/DLM6684211.html