08 Jan Warning: Selenium and zinc picolinate-containing merchandise for kids
For quick launch
Pretoria, 8 January 2026 – The South African Well being Merchandise Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has been made conscious of merchandise out there containing Zinc picolinate (as a supply materials for zinc) and/or Selenium meant to be used in youngsters.
Each of those components have been recognized within the Steering (SAHPRA Guideline 7.04 / SAHPGL-PEM-COMP-04 v5 CM SE Well being Dietary supplements) issued by SAHPRA as not permitted in well being dietary supplements for kids (individuals beneath the age of 18).
The protection considerations associated to youngsters are as follows:
Zinc picolinate, at any supplemental dose, could cause uncomfortable side effects which embody indigestion, diarrhea, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Because the bio-availability of Zn from Zn-picolinate is variable attributable to a number of elements, the chance of uncomfortable side effects could also be increased and unpredictable, and it’s unsuitable as a supply of elemental zinc supplementation in youngsters; and
Selenium, when supplemented to youngsters, represents a security concern contemplating the potential variations in selenium day by day consumption between totally different inhabitants teams. Whereas selenium consumption is a viable requirement for kids in areas of famine or dietary restriction, the potential hostile results of selenium overdose are of concern when offered generally dietary supplements/medicines meant for kids.
The merchandise at the moment available on the market are marketed and bought, amongst others, as “Immune boosters” for kids, with the principle energetic components being Zinc (when derived from Zinc picolinate) and/or Selenium meant to be used in youngsters. These merchandise are indicated for supporting the remedy of colds, flu, diarrhea, and skin-related situations, rendering the merchandise in query medicines that require registration by SAHPRA.
Any drugs bought that comprises Zinc picolinate or Selenium meant to be used in youngsters doesn’t qualify as a Class D (complementary) drugs. As such, their sale as a Class D drugs is prohibited. Due to this fact, with impact from the date of publication of this discover, all selenium and zinc picolinate-containing merchandise meant to be used in youngsters shall be topic to registration as a drugs falling into Class A, as outlined in Part 14(2) of the Medicines and Associated Substances Act, 101 of 1965, and have to be submitted to SAHPRA for registration. The sale of Class D (complementary) medicines containing Zinc picolinate or Selenium and meant to be used in youngsters should be withdrawn from the market inside six (6) months of the date of this publication.
Recommendation for well being professionals and distributors:
SAHPRA requests that Well being professionals stop all distribution, promoting, and/or meting out and take away all selenium and zinc picolinate-containing merchandise meant to be used in youngsters from shops, storage services, and cabinets.
Members of the general public are urged to return merchandise containing Zinc Picolinate and Selenium when meant to be used in youngsters, to their pharmacist, supplying warehouse, or distributor.
Reporting uncomfortable side effects
Public and healthcare professionals are inspired to report any uncomfortable side effects after utilizing a well being product by utilizing the Med Security App. Your report will contribute to our monitoring of those well being merchandise.
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