How to Read a Supplement Label (UAE Guide)

Short answer: find the serving size, then the amount of each active ingredient per serving, not per box. Check the batch number and expiry date, the full ingredient list for allergens such as fish, and the warnings. Be wary of any supplement that claims to cure or treat a disease.

Supplement boxes are designed to sell, so the most eye-catching number is often not the one that matters. These are the lines to read, in order.

1. Serving size and servings per pack

Everything else on the label is per serving. One serving may be 1 capsule, 2 gummies or 6 tablets. Divide the count in the bottle by the serving size to see how many days it really lasts.

2. The amount of each active ingredient

Look for the milligrams of the ingredient you are buying for, per serving. A beauty drink labelled “200,000mg” is usually describing the whole sachet or a marketing figure, not the glutathione inside it.

On the label	What it tells you
“1,000mg L-glutathione per serving”	A clear dose; compare it with the 250–500mg a day used in studies
“6,600mg collagen per serving”	Clear, but check how many tablets make one serving
“200,000mg” on the front of a drink box	Not a dose; look for the per-serving breakdown on the back
“Proprietary blend 500mg”	The total of several ingredients; you cannot tell how much of each

3. Other ingredients and allergens

Check for fish or marine collagen if you have a fish allergy, gelatin if you avoid animal products, sugar and sweeteners in gummies and drinks, and caffeine in coffee mixes.

4. Batch number, expiry and manufacturer

A genuine product prints a batch (lot) number, an expiry date and the manufacturer’s name and address. Missing or smudged details are a warning sign. See how to spot fake Filipino skincare.

5. Claims and the “No approved therapeutic claims” line

Philippine food supplements carry the line “No approved therapeutic claims”, which means the product is not approved to treat any condition. A supplement that promises to cure, treat or prevent a disease, or to make you lose a set amount of weight, is making claims it cannot back up.

6. Directions and warnings

Do not take more than the label dose; more is not better.
Avoid doubling up on vitamins A, E or iron across several products.
Ask a doctor first if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a health condition.
Keep iron-containing supplements away from children.

Frequently asked questions

What does “per serving” mean?

The amounts listed apply to one serving, which may be more than one capsule, gummy or tablet.

Is a higher mg number always better?

No. Compare the active ingredient per serving, and stay within the label dose.

How do I know a supplement is genuine?

Check the seal, batch number and expiry date, and buy from a shop with a named company and an authenticity policy.

99fils is run by Ninty Nine Fils Trading LLC in Deira, Dubai. We deliver to all seven emirates in 1–4 business days (AED 16 per order), with cash on delivery, cards, Tabby and Tamara, and every product is covered by our Authenticity Policy.

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