How to Read a Supplement Label Like a Pro

TigerFormel Editorial Team

Supplement labels can look reassuring at a glance and still hide very little useful information. Here's a practical checklist for reading one properly before you order anything.

1. Look for exact amounts, not just ingredient names

A trustworthy label states the dose of each active ingredient in milligrams, micrograms or International Units — not just a name. If you see “proprietary blend: 850mg” covering six or seven ingredients with no individual breakdown, you have no way of knowing whether any single ingredient is present at a dose used in actual research.

2. Check the %NRV for vitamins and minerals

NRV stands for Nutrient Reference Value — the EU's standardised reference amount for vitamins and minerals. A label showing, for example, “Zinc 2.5mg (25% NRV)” tells you exactly how that dose compares to a general daily reference intake.

3. Separate approved claims from ingredient descriptions

In the EU, health claims for vitamins, minerals and a small number of other substances must be pre-approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Many popular ingredients — amino acids and most plant extracts among them — currently have no approved claim, which means a compliant label can describe what the ingredient is, but not promise a specific effect from it.

4. Check where it's made and by whom

Manufacturing location and any third-party or institutional testing should be stated plainly, along with a real company name and address — not just a brand name with no legal entity behind it.

5. Find the actual return policy before you order

“Money-back guarantee” banners on landing pages don't always match the policy enforced at checkout. Before ordering anything, look for the seller's actual returns or cancellation policy page — in the EU, you're entitled to a 14-day statutory right of withdrawal regardless of what a marketing banner claims, so it's worth checking that the stated policy meets or exceeds that baseline.

Want to see this checklist applied? Our own TigerFormel ingredients page lists every amount and claim status in full.