Taiwan sets new rules on health products

TAIPEI -- Health supplements must be clearly labelled "non-medicine" and "no curative effects" to avoid deception, according to new draft regulations issued in Taiwan Wednesday.

The rules stipulate that the package of health supplements must contain wording that indicates the product is not "medicine" and provides "no curative effect."

Instructions such as recommended dosage should be included, according to rules drafted by the island's food and drug authority.

The rules also stipulate that products in tablets or capsules form should be labelled "non-medicine and for health care only."

In addition, the wording "people suffering from illness should consult a physician" must be featured on packaging.

There are more than 400 kinds of health supplements available in Taiwan, including capsules, tablets or powder as the main form.

The new regulations are expected to come into force on Jan. 1, 2018 and be open for public feedback for 60 days from Wednesday.

The authorities hope the new rules can help stop companies from selling health supplements as medicine, a common practice in Taiwan over the past few years.

Those who violate the new rules will be fined between NT$30,000 (about $1.000) and NT$150,000 (about $5,000).

Companies with permission to sell health supplements before the new rules come into force may correct their labelling during a six-month grace period, the authority said.