Product assessment
Review ingredients against HSA permitted/prohibited lists. Ensure no therapeutic claims. Verify labelling compliance. Determine if any restricted ingredients require warning labels.
A complete guide to Singapore's voluntary health supplement notification scheme, including eligible ingredients, prohibited substances, labelling, claims, and the notification process.
INNORINI PTE. LTD. (UEN 202015523Z) supports voluntary health supplement notification in Singapore. Health supplements do not need HSA pre-market approval, and suppliers remain responsible for safety, quality, labelling and permitted claims. Notification is not a product approval. An ACRA-registered business that places the product on the Singapore market can notify it through HSA’s online notification form using Corppass.
HSA defines a health supplement as any product that is:
Products that do not meet these criteria may be classified as therapeutic products (requiring HSA registration), medical devices, or conventional foods (regulated by SFA).
| Aspect | Health Supplement | Therapeutic Product |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory framework | Medicines Act; HSA intends to move these controls to the Health Products Act by the end of 2028 (voluntary notification) | Health Products Act (mandatory registration) |
| Pre-market approval | Not required (voluntary notification) | Required (Certificate of Registration) |
| Allowed claims | Structure/function, general wellness | Treatment, prevention, cure, diagnosis of disease |
| Importer's licence | Not required | Required |
| Evaluation timeline | Notification processed within days | 60-270 working days |
| Examples | Multivitamins, fish oil, probiotics, protein powder | Paracetamol, antibiotics, statins, insulin |
HSA maintains lists of permitted and prohibited ingredients for health supplements:
Vitamins and minerals at safe levels, amino acids, essential fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6), fibre, probiotics, enzymes, herbal ingredients with a history of safe food use, and many botanical extracts.
Prescription-only ingredients, controlled substances, toxic herbs (e.g., Aristolochia, Ephedra), animal parts from endangered species, ingredients with no history of safe use, and substances listed in HSA's prohibited list.
Certain ingredients are allowed only at specified maximum doses or with warning labels, including caffeine, melatonin, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, and some herbal ingredients.
Ingredients without a history of safe use in Singapore may require additional safety data and HSA review before they can be sold as health supplements.
Always verify your ingredients against the latest HSA Health Products Regulations and the ASEAN Dietary Supplement Guidelines before formulating.
Health supplements in Singapore may make structure/function claims and general wellness claims, but may NOT make therapeutic claims.
| Allowed (structure/function) | Prohibited (therapeutic) |
|---|---|
| "Supports immune health" | "Cures the common cold" |
| "Helps maintain joint flexibility" | "Treats arthritis" |
| "Promotes healthy digestion" | "Cures constipation" |
| "Supports cardiovascular health" | "Lowers blood pressure" |
| "Helps maintain energy levels" | "Treats chronic fatigue" |
| "Contributes to normal bone health" | "Prevents osteoporosis" |
| "May help with relaxation" | "Treats anxiety and depression" |
Claims must be truthful, not misleading, and substantiated by scientific evidence. HSA monitors advertising and can take enforcement action against products making prohibited claims.
All health supplements sold in Singapore must have labels in English (other languages may be included alongside English). Mandatory label information includes:
Labels must not include therapeutic claims, and any health claims must comply with HSA guidelines.
Notification is voluntary. It does not replace your responsibility for the product’s safety, quality, labelling and claims. The process involves:
Review ingredients against HSA permitted/prohibited lists. Ensure no therapeutic claims. Verify labelling compliance. Determine if any restricted ingredients require warning labels.
The company placing the product on the Singapore market must be registered with ACRA and have a Corppass account.
Complete HSA’s online notification form (go.gov.sg/vns) with your product details.
Keep your product, label and claims compliant after notification, and update HSA if product details change.
Health supplements can legally be sold in Singapore without voluntary notification, provided they comply with all ingredient, labelling, and claims requirements. However:
Even after notification, suppliers must maintain ongoing compliance:
| Obligation | Description |
|---|---|
| Adverse event reporting | Report any suspected adverse reactions associated with your product to HSA |
| Product changes | Notify HSA of any changes to formulation, ingredients, dosage, or labelling |
| Record keeping | Maintain batch records, supplier documentation, and quality records for at least 2 years after product expiry |
| Recall capability | Maintain procedures for product recalls and be able to trace all batches |
| Advertising compliance | Ensure all marketing materials (online, print, social media) do not contain therapeutic claims |
| Quality assurance | Ensure products meet declared specifications and are manufactured under appropriate quality standards |
The most common violation. Words like "treat", "cure", "prevent", "heal", or disease names on labels or marketing can trigger enforcement. Use structure/function language instead.
Some ingredients common in other countries (e.g., Ephedra, certain Kava products, Aristolochia) are banned in Singapore. Always check the HSA prohibited list.
Missing batch numbers, expiry dates, ingredient lists, or importer details are common reasons for product detention at customs or retail rejection.
Ingredients like caffeine, melatonin, and iron have maximum daily dose limits. Exceeding these may require therapeutic product registration or trigger enforcement.
Labels must include the name and address of the Singapore importer or distributor. Products with only foreign manufacturer details may be rejected.
Products containing prescription ingredients or making disease claims are not supplements. Misclassification can lead to seizure, fines, and prosecution.
Innorini's Innorini Stabicon division specialises in health supplement development, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance. We can support you with:
Our proven supplement brands include PartyPal (anti-hangover, ORAMELT + C3 CURA technology), Innolax (natural laxative, NUS iDP award winner), and Innolyte Care (oral rehydration salts).