Supplement & Nutraceutical Affiliate Disclosures
Supplement affiliates need the FDA structure/function disclaimer and FTC substantiation on top of the affiliate disclosure. Includes a ready-to-copy sample.
Supplement and nutraceutical affiliate sites operate in one of the most actively enforced corners of advertising law. Two federal agencies are involved: the FTC, which polices deceptive advertising and requires substantiation for health claims, and the FDA, which regulates supplement labeling under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). As an affiliate making or repeating health claims, you can be held responsible alongside the seller.
The FDA structure/function disclaimer
Supplements may make “structure/function” claims — how an ingredient affects the normal structure or function of the body (for example, “calcium builds strong bones”) — but not disease claims (that a product can “diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent” a disease). Whenever a structure/function claim is made, the FDA requires this disclaimer:
The required FDA disclaimer
“This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”
The FTC substantiation standard
Beyond labeling, the FTC requires that any health-benefit claim be backed by competent and reliable scientific evidence — generally well-conducted human clinical trials. The FTC’s 2022 Health Products Compliance Guidance is explicit that testimonials do not substitute for substantiation, that vague qualifiers like “may” or “promising” do not cure an unsupported claim, and that everyone in the marketing chain shares responsibility. For an affiliate, the safe course is to avoid making health claims your source cannot substantiate, and to keep testimonials and “results” language realistic and qualified.
What your disclosure block should contain
- The affiliate disclosure (you earn a commission).
- The FDA structure/function disclaimer where any structure/function claim appears.
- A “not medical advice” statement directing readers to a healthcare provider.
- Where you show testimonials or before/after results, a clear note about what typical users can realistically expect.
Ready-to-use sample disclosure
Adapt the wording to your site and place it prominently, near the top of the page and before your affiliate links. Copy the plain text or the HTML snippet:
Educational sample, not legal advice. Include the FDA disclaimer wherever you make a structure/function claim, and have counsel review your specific claims.
Do not make disease claims
The fastest way to draw an FTC or FDA action is to claim a supplement treats, cures, or prevents a disease. No disclaimer rescues a disease claim on a supplement — the claim itself is the violation.
Go deeper on DSHEA
This page covers the disclosure essentials. For the full supplement regulatory framework — the three claim types, structure/function claims and the required disclaimer, the FTC substantiation standard, and NDI and cGMP rules — see the dedicated Supplements & DSHEA section.
Authoritative sources
Last reviewed July 2026. This page is general educational information, not legal or tax advice.