TGA on ‘natural’

THE use of the word “natural” in advertising medicines is a point of contention which the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is keen to clarify.

The TGA states a product may be promoted as “natural” when it is derived from natural sources such as a plant and has undergone only physical changes such as freeze drying, grinding, extraction or fermentation, not chemical changes.

Advertisers are urged to use the term wisely, including variations such as “all natural”, “100% natural”, or “naturally derived”, when describing their products.

Claims around the use of this term need to be truthful, valid, accurate and substantiated, not associated with or implying safety or efficacy, the TGA says.

See details at tga.gov.au.