What is it used for?
All Products
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants [Source note 2].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants that help fight/protect (cell) against/reduce (the oxidative effect of/the oxidative damage caused by/cell damage caused by) free radicals [Source note 3].
Products containing Limnospira platensis
Helps reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal congestion and itching [Source note 4].
Uses based on constituent potency at or above the minimum doses indicated in the dose section below
Source of beta-carotene, a provitamin A, for the maintenance of good health [Source note 5].
Source of beta-carotene, a provitamin A, to help maintain eyesight, skin, membranes and immune function [Source note 6].
Source of beta-carotene, a provitamin A, to help in the development and maintenance of night vision [Source note 7].
Source of beta-carotene, a provitamin A, to help in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth [Source note 8].
Source of iron for the maintenance of good health [Source note 9].
Source of iron which helps to form red blood cells and helps in their proper function [Source note 10].
Source of protein for the maintenance of good health [Source note 11].
Source of protein which helps build and repair body tissues [Source note 12].
Source of essential amino acids for the maintenance of good health [Source note 13].
Source of (essential) amino acids involved in muscle protein synthesis (CNF2025; IOM 2005).
The above uses can be combined on the product label (e.g., Source of protein for the maintenance of good health which helps build and repair body tissues).
The claim “Source of vitamin B12” is not acceptable as most vitamin B12 from this source is not bioactive [Source note 14].
What this guide covers
The solidus (/) indicates that the terms and/or statements are synonymous. Either term or statement may be selected by the applicant on the label.
Who does this guide cover?
As specified below.
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Acceptable dosage forms by age group:
Children 2 years: The acceptable dosage forms are limited to emulsion/suspension and solution/liquid preparations (Giacoia et al. 2008; EMA/CHMP 2006).
Children 3-5 years: The acceptable dosage forms are limited to chewables, emulsion/suspension, powders and solution/liquid preparations (Giacoia et al. 2008; EMA/CHMP 2006).
Children 6-11 years, Adolescents 12-17 years, and Adults 18 years and older: The
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized and Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation “Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract)” as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
Allergic rhinitis (Limnospira platensis only)/Antioxidants
| Subpopulation(s) | Subpopulation(s) | Minimum dose of Spirulina (g/day)¹ | Maximum dose of Spirulina (g/day) ²,³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children | |||
| Children | 2-4 years | 0.3 | 1 |
| Children | 5-9 years | 0.5 | 2 |
| Children | 10-11 years | 1 | 4 |
| Adolescents | |||
| Adolescents | 12-14 years | 1 | 4 |
| Adolescents | 15-17 years | 2 | 8 |
| Adults | 18 years and older | 2 | 8 |
¹Children and adolescent minimum doses calculated as a fraction of the adult dose; Adult minimum doses supported by the following references: Cingi et al. 2008; Mao et al. 2005. ²Children and adolescent maximum doses calculated as a fraction of the adult dose and supported by the following references: Dia et al. 2009; Simpore et al. 2006; Samuels et al. 2002. ³Adult maximum dose supported by the following references: CNF 2024; Marles et al. 2011; Cingi et al. 2008; Lee et al. 2008; Park et al. 2008; Baicus and Baicus 2007.
Claims based on the constituent protein
| Subpopulation(s) | Subpopulation(s) | Minimum dose of Algal protein (g/day)¹ | Maximum dose of Algal protein and Spirulina (g/day)²,³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children | |||
| Children | 2-4 years | 0.6 | 1 |
| Children | 5-9 years | 0.9 | 2 |
| Children | 10-11 years | 1.5 | 4 |
| Adolescents | |||
| Adolescents | 12-14 years | 1.5 | 4 |
| Adolescents | 15-17 years | 2.6 | 8 |
| Adults | 18 years and older | 2.6 | 8 |
¹Children, adolescent and adult minimum doses of protein supported by the following references: IOM 2006; IOM 2005. ²Children and adolescent maximum doses of spirulina calculated as a fraction of the adult dose and supported by the following references: Dia et al. 2009; Simpore et al. 2006; Samuels et al. 2002. ³Adult maximum dose supported by the following references: CNF 2024; Marles et al. 2011; Cingi et al. 2008; Lee et al. 2008; Park et al. 2008; Baicus and Baicus 2007.
Claims based on the constituents Beta-carotene or Iron
| Subpopulation(s) | Subpopulation(s) | Beta-carotene¹ / Min (mcg/day) | Beta-carotene¹ / Max (mcg/day) | Iron¹ / Min (mg/day) | Iron¹ / Max (mg/day) | Maximum dose of Spirulina (g/day)²,³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children | ||||||
| Children | 2-3 years | 180 | 3600 | 0.6 | 40 | 1 |
| Children | 4 years | 180 | 5400 | 0.6 | 40 | 1 |
| Children | 5-8 years | 180 | 5400 | 0.6 | 40 | 2 |
| Children | 9 years | 180 | 10200 | 0.6 | 40 | 2 |
| Children | 10-11 years | 180 | 10200 | 0.6 | 40 | 4 |
| Adolescents | ||||||
| Adolescents | 12-13 years | 180 | 10200 | 0.6 | 40 | 4 |
| Adolescents | 14 years | 390 | 16800 | 1.4 | 45 | 4 |
| Adolescents | 15-17 years | 390 | 16800 | 1.4 | 45 | 8 |
| Adults | ||||||
| Adults | 18 years | 390 | 16800 | 1.4 | 45 | 8 |
| Adults | 19 years and older | 390 | 18000 | 1.4 | 45 | 8 |
¹ Children, adolescent and adult minimum and maximum doses of beta-carotene and iron supported by the source authority Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements reference ²Children and adolescent maximum doses of spirulina calculated as a fraction of the adult dose and supported by the following references: Dia et al. 2009; Simpore et al. 2006; Samuels et al. 2002. ³Adult maximum dose of spirulina supported by the following references: CNF 2024; Marles et al. 2011; Cingi et al. 2008; Lee et al. 2008; Park et al. 2008; Baicus and Baicus 2007.
For a use or purpose based on a particular constituent (e.g., beta-carotene, iron, or protein), the name and the amount of the constituent must be provided in the potency section of the product documentation form.
The minimum and maximum daily doses of the constituents must be within the range of the doses listed on the source authority Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements reference or the source authority Workout Supplements reference. Note that the maximum dose of protein is limited by the maximum dose of spirulina.
If ingredients such as vitamins and minerals are added to the product they should be listed as separate active ingredients on the product documentation form and label. In this case, it would be considered a Class II or III application
How is it used?
Products providing 0.6 mg or more iron per day for children and adolescents 2-13 years old, or 1.4 mg or more iron per day for adults
Take a few hours before or after taking other medications or health products [Source note 15].
How long is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Allergic rhinitis
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
When should it be avoided?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Conditions for combined preparations
When the active ingredients listed in Table 1 are combined, the total quantity of spirulina and the total quantity of its constituents if declared must not exceed the maximum quantities listed in Tables 2, 3 and 4.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limnospira fusiformis | Spirulina | Limnospira fusiformis | Whole | |
| Limnospira indica | Spirulina | Limnospira indica | Whole | |
| Limnospira maxima | Spirulina | Limnospira maxima | Whole | |
| Limnospira platensis | Spirulina | Limnospira platensis | Whole |
References: Proper name: Guiry and Guiry 2025; Nowicka-Krawczyk et al. 2019; Common name: CNF 2024; Mazokopakis et al. 2013; Source information: Guiry and Guiry 2025; Nowicka-Krawczyk et al. 2019.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- March 28, 2025
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.