Merchient’s ingredient library
The library supports 1 wording for elderberry; the strongest is “A source of antioxidants that help protect cells against damage from free radicals” (limited, up to 18 g dried fruit (or extract equivalent) a day). Avoid wording that names or implies a disease, a drug or a treatment, such as “Shortens colds or flu”.
Also called: Elder, Black elder, American elder, Sambucus nigra, Elderflower
Reviewed
Not legal advice. This guide shows the wording that published evidence supports at a daily dose, from the sources linked below; it is not a ruling on any claim. Your own product, its form and dose, and your own evidence still need to match the wording you use.
Supported wordings
Limited evidenceWording 1
Claims Facts
“A source of antioxidants that help protect cells against damage from free radicals.”
| Daily dose | up to 18 g dried fruit (or extract equivalent) a day |
|---|---|
| Support | Health Canada lists it for the fruit with a maximum dose only; no other listed source covers it. |
| Dose details | Adults 18 and older, up to 18 g dried fruit a day; Health Canada sets no minimum for this use. |
| Form | Dried elder fruit (berries) or extracts |
| Source | Health Canada monograph: Elder - Sambucus |
Wordings to avoid
Claims Facts
| Wording to avoid | Reason |
|---|---|
| “Shortens colds or flu”Names infectious diseases. | Disease |
| “Protects against COVID-19”Names a disease; NCCIH finds no good evidence for it. | Disease |
| “Boosts immunity for flu season”Implies protection against an infectious disease. | Disease |
Disease: names or implies a disease. Drug: names a drug or presents the product as one. Treatment: promises to treat, cure or prevent a condition.
Vera, Merchient’s AI employee, reads your site and emails you the riskiest line, why, a safer rewrite and how many more like it she found. Reply, and you get the free first report.
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