Direct answer: a UK food supplement cannot claim to prevent, treat or cure menopausal symptoms. It may use a relevant authorised nutrition or health claim when the product meets the conditions — for example, “vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity”. A licensed or traditionally registered herbal medicine may state only the indication covered by its authorisation.
Commercial disclosure: we sell a botanical food supplement containing vitamin B6. This guide explains the rules that apply to our own marketing as well as to competitors.
Food supplement or herbal medicine?
| Label clue | Food supplement | THR herbal medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Legal category | Food | Traditional herbal medicinal product |
| What it may say | Compliant authorised or qualifying on-hold health claims; no disease-treatment claims | The indication and wording covered by its registration |
| Pack marker | Described as a food supplement | THR registration number and medicine leaflet |
| Evidence basis | Depends on the specific permitted claim | Quality, safety and at least 30 years of traditional medicinal use; not the same as proof from modern clinical trials |
What can a food supplement say?
In Great Britain, health claims must follow the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register and their conditions of use. “On-hold” botanical claims are a limited exception: CAP says marketers should verify that the exact claim and plant part are on hold, hold suitable substantiation and seek DHSC advice where necessary.
For a formula such as ours, the straightforward approach is to rely on authorised nutrient claims:
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, hair, nails, skin and vision, and to normal cognitive function.
The nutrient must be present in the amount required by the register. A botanical can still be named, quantified and described factually without promising an outcome.
What wording is likely to cross the line?
CAP’s July 2026 menopause guidance says claims that a food supplement helps hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems or other menopausal symptoms are likely to be prohibited treatment claims. It also warns that broad phrases such as “menopause supplement” and “menopause support” can imply the same thing, depending on context.
That means risk is created by the whole presentation, not only by one sentence. Search headings, product names, collection names, customer testimonials, image text, metadata and links can all contribute to the meaning a customer takes away.
Why does the product name matter?
A name is part of the advertising. A name that suggests a health benefit normally needs an accompanying relevant authorised claim; a name that implies relief from menopausal symptoms can be more serious because it may present the product as a medicine.
For this reason, an authorised vitamin B6 statement should be placed clearly beside any general hormonal-activity wording. It does not permit claims about relieving hot flushes, night sweats or other symptoms.
What does a THR number mean?
The MHRA grants a Traditional Herbal Registration only for herbal medicines intended for minor conditions that do not require medical supervision. Applicants must supply evidence on quality, safety and traditional use, including at least 30 years of medicinal use.
A THR product may use the approved indication on its label and advertising. The wording is based on long-standing traditional use; it is not equivalent to a full claim of clinically proven efficacy.
A.Vogel Menoforce is a useful example: it is a traditional herbal medicinal product registered for relief of excessive sweating associated with menopausal hot flushes, including night sweats, based on traditional use. A sage food supplement cannot borrow that indication.
Can a food supplement be compared with HRT?
No food supplement should be presented as equivalent to HRT or as an alternative treatment. CAP has upheld recent complaints where supplement advertising implied an HRT-like effect. HRT is a prescription medicine and treatment decisions belong in a discussion with a healthcare professional.
NHS guidance says HRT is the main medicine treatment for menopause symptoms, while other prescription treatments and menopause-specific CBT may also be options. Herbal supplements have much less certain evidence and may interact with medicines.
The vitamin B6 check
Vitamin B6 is often the nutrient behind permitted wording in this category, but more is not automatically better. The NHS advises adults not to take more than 10mg a day in supplements unless advised by a doctor.
Always multiply the per-capsule quantity by the daily dose and add vitamin B6 from any multivitamin, B-complex or other supplement. On our current specification, one capsule contains 5mg; two provide 10mg and three provide 15mg.
A four-step compliance check for shoppers
- Identify the category. Does the pack say food supplement, or does it carry a THR number and medicine leaflet?
- Read the exact claim. Is it a normal-function nutrient claim or a promise to relieve symptoms?
- Check the amount and daily dose. The claim and the safety calculation both depend on the actual intake.
- Read the context. Product names, testimonials and images can imply more than the small print says.
How we checked this guide
Reviewed against the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register updated 19 May 2026, CAP’s menopause guidance published 15 July 2026, current MHRA THR guidance, current NHS treatment guidance and our product specification on 2 August 2026.
Sources
- CAP: Healthcare — the menopause
- CAP: food disease prevention and treatment claims
- CAP: food health claims and on-hold claims
- GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register
- MHRA: Traditional Herbal Registration
- NHS: treatment for menopause and perimenopause
- NHS: vitamin B6
Related guides
- Red clover, wild yam, sage and isoflavones explained
- Food supplements and THR medicines compared
- Which supplement health claims are legal?
Reviewed 2 August 2026. This is compliance-oriented consumer information, not legal advice. Always read the label and medicine leaflet. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle or medical care.
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