Before You Give Your Child Another Supplement, READ THIS

Platinum Weekly newspaper | SA – Parents are often encouraged to do everything possible to keep their children healthy — especially during cold and flu season. But a recent warning from South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) reminds us that not all products marketed for children are as safe as they appear.

On 8 January 2026, SAHPRA issued an official notice warning against the sale and use of certain children’s “immune booster” products that contain zinc picolinate and/or selenium.

Why the warning?
According to SAHPRA, zinc picolinate and selenium are not permitted ingredients in health supplements for children under the age of 18 under current South African regulations. These substances are listed as not allowed in SAHPRA’s official health-supplement guidance for children. Despite this, products containing these ingredients are currently being sold — often labelled as immune boosters — and are promoted to help with:

• colds and flu
• diarrhoea
• skin conditions

Because of these claimed medical benefits, SAHPRA says these products are medicines, not simple supplements — and they require full registration and approval before they may be sold.

Safety concerns for children
SAHPRA highlighted specific risks associated with these ingredients:

• Zinc picolinate can cause side effects at any supplemental dose, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, and indigestion. Its absorption in the body is unpredictable, which makes it unsuitable and potentially unsafe for children.
• Selenium, while necessary in very small amounts, can become harmful if intake is too high. SAHPRA warns that children may be at risk of selenium overdose, particularly when supplements are used without medical supervision.

What this means legally
SAHPRA has made it clear that:

• Products containing zinc picolinate or selenium do not qualify as Category D (complementary) medicines for children.
• Selling them as such is illegal.
• These products must instead be registered as Category A medicines, which undergo stricter safety and approval processes.
• All affected products must be withdrawn from the market within six months of the notice.

Advice for health professionals and shops

• SAHPRA has instructed:
• Doctors, pharmacists, and retailers to stop selling or dispensing these products.

All remaining stock to be removed from shelves and storage areas immediately.

Advice for parents and caregivers
Members of the public are urged to:

• Check children’s supplements at home for zinc picolinate or selenium.
• Return affected products to the pharmacy, distributor, or supplier where they were purchased.
• Avoid giving children any supplement that claims to treat illnesses unless advised by a healthcare professional.

This warning is not about causing panic — it’s about protecting children’s health. SAHPRA reminds parents that “natural” or “immune-boosting” labels do not automatically mean a product is safe, especially for young bodies still developing.