Our response to SAHPRA’s media release of 08 January 2026 entitled “Warning: Selenium and zinc picolinate-containing products for children”.

We draw your attention to the following important points:

• SAHPRA is currently in contempt of court of the seminal judgment and court order rendered by the Supreme Court of Appeal in the case of Minister of Health and Another v Alliance of Natural Health Products (South Africa) (256/2021) [2022] ZASCA 49; 2022 (5) SA 392 (SCA) (11 April 2022) and they are acting unlawfully, and their conduct constitutes unfair administrative action.
• Our products have been sold for over 20 years; have been used in government tenders from 2009 – 2014; and are registered and sold internationally. No serious adverse side effects have ever been reported.
• The media release gives a six-month timeframe regarding the removal of these products. This matter is not being treated on an urgent basis, which SAHPRA would have done if these ingredients posed a serious risk.
• At present, there is no published scientific evidence showing that Zinc Picolinate, when used within appropriate and regulated dosage levels, is unsafe for children.
• The zinc supplementation side effects mentioned in their communication are consistent for all types of zinc supplementation.
• The bioavailability of Zinc Picolinate is not a factor of concern and we have provided scientific evidence to SAHPRA on numerous prior occasions.
• Selenium is an essential mineral that is crucial for optimal health. SAHPRA’s concern is about Selenium overdose.
• The amount of Selenium in our products is well below the tolerable upper limits that are published in the scientific literature for Selenium dosages for the respective age groups. When our products are used as directed, they alone cannot induce a toxic effect or an overdose.
• Your health is affected by lifestyle, diet, exercise, underlying conditions, and the other health products/medicines you take. You always need to refer to your healthcare practitioner with any concerns when taking any health product.