South Africa Warns Against Zinc Picolinate, Selenium Supplements For Children

CAPE TOWN, Jan 13 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- South Africa’s health products regulator on Monday warned against children’s health supplements containing zinc picolinate and selenium, citing safety concerns and announcing stricter regulatory controls, reported Xinhua.

In a statement, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) said it "has been made aware of products in the market containing zinc picolinate (as a source material for zinc) and/or selenium intended for use in children."

SAHPRA noted that both ingredients are "not permitted in health supplements for children" under existing guidance. It warned that zinc picolinate can cause side effects which include indigestion, diarrhoea, headache, nausea, and vomiting, adding that variable bio-availability makes its effects unpredictable and unsuitable for children.

On selenium, the authority cautioned that although intake may be necessary in limited circumstances, "the potential adverse effects of selenium overdose are of concern when provided in general supplements/medicines intended for children."

According to SAHPRA, the products currently on the market are often sold as "immune boosters" for children and are promoted for treating colds, flu, diarrhoea and skin-related conditions, rendering the products medicines that require registration by the regulator.

"Any medicine sold that contains zinc picolinate or selenium intended for use in children does not qualify as a Category D (complementary) medicine," SAHPRA noted, adding that selling them as such "is illegal."

With immediate effect, all such products must be submitted for registration as Category A medicines under the Medicines and Related Substances Act.

The regulator ordered that Category D products containing zinc picolinate or selenium and intended for children must be withdrawn from the market within six months.

--BERNAMA-XINHUA