Merchient

Merchient’s ingredient library

What can you say about riboflavin (vitamin B2) in your ads and on your site?

The library supports 7 wordings for riboflavin (vitamin B2); the strongest is “Supports normal energy-yielding metabolism” (strong, 0.21-100 mg a day). Avoid wording that names or implies a disease, a drug or a treatment, such as “Prevents migraines”.

Also called: Vitamin B2, Vitamin B-2

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

What you can say.

Strong evidenceWording 1

Claims Facts

“Supports normal energy-yielding metabolism.”

Daily dose0.21-100 mg a day
SupportListed by Health Canada and authorized in the EU after EFSA review.
Dose detailsAdults 19 and older. Health Canada: 0.08-100 mg a day. EU: at least 0.21 mg, 15% of the 1.4 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII).
FormRiboflavin or riboflavin 5’-phosphate, counted as riboflavin
SourcesHealth Canada monograph: Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

Strong evidenceWording 2

Claims Facts

“Helps maintain normal mucous membranes.”

Daily dose0.21-100 mg a day
SupportListed by Health Canada and authorized in the EU after EFSA review.
Dose detailsAdults 19 and older. Health Canada: 0.08-100 mg a day. EU: at least 0.21 mg, 15% of the 1.4 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII).
FormRiboflavin or riboflavin 5’-phosphate, counted as riboflavin
SourcesHealth Canada monograph: Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

Strong evidenceWording 3

Claims Facts

“Helps maintain normal red blood cells.”

Daily dose0.21-100 mg a day
SupportListed by Health Canada and authorized in the EU after EFSA review.
Dose detailsAdults 19 and older. Health Canada: 0.08-100 mg a day. EU: at least 0.21 mg, 15% of the 1.4 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII).
FormRiboflavin or riboflavin 5’-phosphate, counted as riboflavin
SourcesHealth Canada monograph: Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

Strong evidenceWording 4

Claims Facts

“Supports normal iron metabolism.”

Daily dose0.21-100 mg a day
SupportListed by Health Canada and authorized in the EU after EFSA review.
Dose detailsAdults 19 and older. Health Canada: 0.08-100 mg a day. EU: at least 0.21 mg, 15% of the 1.4 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII).
FormRiboflavin or riboflavin 5’-phosphate, counted as riboflavin
SourcesHealth Canada monograph: Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

Moderate evidenceWording 5

Claims Facts

“Helps reduce tiredness and fatigue.”

Daily doseat least 0.21 mg a day
SupportAuthorized in the EU after EFSA review; Health Canada does not list it.
Dose detailsEU: at least 0.21 mg, 15% of the 1.4 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII). Health Canada does not list this use; its monograph gives 0.08-100 mg a day for adults.
FormRiboflavin or riboflavin 5’-phosphate, counted as riboflavin
SourceCommission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

Moderate evidenceWording 6

Claims Facts

“Supports normal function of the nervous system.”

Daily doseat least 0.21 mg a day
SupportAuthorized in the EU after EFSA review; Health Canada does not list it.
Dose detailsEU: at least 0.21 mg, 15% of the 1.4 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII). Health Canada does not list this use; its monograph gives 0.08-100 mg a day for adults.
FormRiboflavin or riboflavin 5’-phosphate, counted as riboflavin
SourceCommission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

Moderate evidenceWording 7

Claims Facts

“Helps maintain normal vision.”

Daily doseat least 0.21 mg a day
SupportAuthorized in the EU after EFSA review; Health Canada does not list it.
Dose detailsEU: at least 0.21 mg, 15% of the 1.4 mg EU reference value (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII). Health Canada does not list this use; its monograph gives 0.08-100 mg a day for adults.
FormRiboflavin or riboflavin 5’-phosphate, counted as riboflavin
SourceCommission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims

How strong the evidence is

Strong evidence
At least two listed sources support it independently at a comparable dose and form, and none disagrees.
Moderate evidence
One listed source supports it as an evidence-based use at that dose, and no listed source disagrees.
Limited evidence
The only support is traditional use, the sources disagree, or the source itself calls the evidence weak.

Wordings to avoid

What to leave out.

Claims Facts

Ingredient: Riboflavin (vitamin B2)

Wording to avoidReason
“Prevents migraines”Names a disease.Disease
“Treats cataracts or other eye disease”Names diseases.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.

Sources

Where this comes from.

All ingredient guides

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