Zinc in food supplements
16,492 supplements declared in France contain a form of this nutrient
Zinc: in France, a food supplement may not provide more than 15 mg a day (Order of 9 May 2006, not revised since November 2006, Annex III); for adults, EFSA's upper safe limit is 25 mg a day. The doses of the 2006 Order have not been revised since the amending Order of 14 November 2006, and some were annulled by the Conseil d'État in 2011; the DGCCRF accepted higher levels for some nutrients through guidelines published until January 2019, and an update of the Order is being prepared (ministerial answer published in the Official Journal on 11 February 2025).
Order of 9 May 2006, Annex III. French orders of 9 May 2006 and 14 November 2006 as published in the Official Journal (maximum daily doses), retrieved 21 October 2026.
EFSA, Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (version 11, August 2025), retrieved 21 October 2026.
Written Question No 2686, ministry answer published in the Official Journal on 11 February 2025.
What we know about this ingredient
Uses
As negative electrode in alkaline cell electrode
Galvanizing sheet iron; as ingredient of alloys such as bronze, brass, Babbitt metal, German silver, and special alloys for die-casting.
Protective coating for metals to prevent corrosion; for electrical apparatus, especially dry cell batteries, household utensils, casting, printing plates, building materials, railroad car lining, automotive equipment; reducing agent in organic chemistry; deoxidizing bronze; extracting gold by cyanide process, purifying fats for soaps; bleaching bone glue; manufacture sodium hydrosulfite; insulin zinc salts; reagent in analytical chemistry
Substance listed with specific concentration in tattoo ink and/or permanent make up according to EU Commission Regulation 2020/2081. The concentration limit (by weight) is 0.2%.
PubChem : Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · 2026-10-29 · Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present., p. V25: 795; O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 13th Edition, Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 2001., p. 1809; O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 13th Edition, Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 2001., p. 1810.
PubChem : NORMAN Suspect List Exchange · 2026-10-29 · S86 | TATTOOINK | Regulated Tattoo Ink Ingredients as per EU regulation 2020/2081 | A list of regulated ingredients for tattoo ink and permanent make up (https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/news/how-safe-are-our-tattoos-and-permanent-makeup), Appendix 13 added to Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2081, 14 December 2020 amending Annex XVII of REACH (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/2081/oj). Dataset DOI:10.5281/zenodo.5710243.
Use classification
Chemical Classes -> Inorganic substances
A molecule found naturally in plants or organisms; in a supplement it may be extracted from them, made by fermentation or synthesised: the declaration does not say which.
Basis: one CosIngThe European Commission's database of cosmetic ingredients. CAS and natural occurrence recorded in Wikidata (LOTUS database).
Wikidata: names of substances in six languages and taxa in which they occur (largely from the LOTUS database), retrieved 23 October 2026.
Natural occurrence recorded in Wikidata (LOTUS database): 5 taxa; examples: Foeniculum vulgare, Theobroma cacao, Phytelephas aequatorialis, Artemia salina, Tedania charcoti.
Wikidata: names of substances in six languages and taxa in which they occur (largely from the LOTUS database), retrieved 23 October 2026.
Manufacturing
Concentration of zinc ore, roasting the concentrate, followed by thermal smelting (reduction with carbon), or followed by leaching of the roasted concentrate to extract soluble zinc, purification, and electrolytic refining.
The hydrometallurgical or electrolytical process where the zinc oxide is leached from the roasted or calcined material with sulfuric acid to form zinc sulfate solution which is electrolyzed in cells to deposit zinc on cathodes.
Two processes are used to produce metallic zinc from the ore concentrates that are not subjected to caustic soda leaching. In one process, the ore concentrate containing zinc sulfide is roasted in the presence of air to produce zinc oxide, which is combined with coke or coal and retorted to approximately 1,100 °C to produce metallic zinc. In the other process, the roasted zinc oxide is leached with sulfuric acid, and the solution is electrolyzed to produce zinc of >99.9% purity.
Zinc ore is mined using both underground mining and open pit mining. The mined zinc ores are too low in zinc content for direct reduction to refined metal; thus, they are first concentrated. Production of concentrates requires crushing and grinding followed by gravity or magnetic methods of separation or flotation. These processes may be combined, depending on the complexity of the ore. A caustic-leach process is used to decrease the extent of metal loss during the concentration process. In this process, the metal is leached by caustic soda, the resulting electrolyte is purified with zinc dust and lime, and the zinc is electrodeposited. The crude zinc may be dissolved in sulfuric acid and purified by electrodeposition.
PubChem : Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · 2026-10-29 · SRI; Lewis, R.J. Sr.; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 14th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY 2001., p. 1191; DHHS/ATSDR; Toxicological Profile for Zinc p129 PB2006-100008 (August 2005); DHHS/ATSDR; Toxicological Profile for Zinc p.129 PB2009-100008 (August 2005).
Appearance
Bluish-white, lustrous metal; distorted hexagonal close-packed structure; when heated to 100-150 °C becomes malleable, at 210 °C becomes brittle and pulverizable
Brittle at ordinary temperatures
Zinc ashes appears as a grayish colored powder. May produce toxic zinc oxide fumes when heated to very high temperatures or when burned. Insoluble in water. Used in paints, bleaches and to make other chemicals.
Zinc dust appears as a grayish powder. Insoluble in water. May produce toxic zinc oxide fumes when heated to very high temperatures or when burned. Used in paints, bleaches and to make other chemicals.
PubChem : Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · 2026-10-29 · O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 13th Edition, Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 2001., p. 1809; Lide, D.R. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics 86TH Edition 2005-2006. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, FL 2005, p. 4-42.
PubChem : CAMEO Chemicals · 2026-10-29 · https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/17707; https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/4814.
Stability
Stable in dry air; becomes covered with white coating of basic carbonate on exposure to moist air.
Zinc is attacked by carbon dioxide & sulfur dioxide resulting chiefly in a coating of hydrated basic carbonate of variable composition; hydrogen peroxide may be formed in the process
PubChem : Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · 2026-10-29 · The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983., p. 1455; Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982., p. 2037.
Associated research
ClinicalTrials.gov · A trial is not proof: it tests a hypothesis.
- NCT06664008 : The Effect of Probiotic and Zinc Supplementation in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
NOT_YET_RECRUITING · PHASE4 · Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease · 2024-10-29 · Zinc
- NCT06567717 : Zinc and Nicotinamide Riboside for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
RECRUITING · PHASE2 · Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis · 2025-11-10 · Zinc
- NCT07102836 : COMPARISON OF ZINC AND PROBIOTICS ON NEONATES WITH INDIRECT HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA UNDERGOING PHOTOTHERAPY
RECRUITING · PHASE2 · Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal · 2025-08-05 · Zinc sulfate (synonym declared in the registry)
2026-11-01
Other names: Zink (German), zinco (Italian), zinco (Portuguese).
Wikidata: names of substances in six languages and taxa in which they occur (largely from the LOTUS database), retrieved 23 October 2026.
Same substance in cosmetics: ZINC.
In plain words
À quoi il sert, selon les fabricants
Objectifs les plus souvent annoncés pour les compléments qui en contiennent (zinc) : immunité (2576 produits), cheveux et ongles (2465 produits), peau (2289 produits), antioxydant (1421 produits), sport (1059 produits).
Ce sont les objectifs déclarés par les fabricants à l'administration, pas des effets démontrés. Sur l'emballage, seules les allégations de santé autorisées par l'Union peuvent être écrites.
Compl'Alim, food supplement declarations (France), retrieved 23 October 2026.
Jusqu'où c'est sûr
Pour un adulte, l'EFSAEuropean Food Safety Authority. fixe la limite supérieure de sécurité à 25 mg/j : c'est l'apport quotidien qui, pris sur le long terme, toutes sources alimentaires réunies, ne devrait pas provoquer d'effet indésirable. Au-delà, le risque augmente. Un complément n'est qu'une partie de l'apport.
EFSA, Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (version 11, August 2025), retrieved 21 October 2026.
La règle en France
En France, la dose journalière recommandée d'un complément ne doit pas apporter plus de 15 mg (arrêté du 9 mai 2006, non révisé depuis novembre 2006). Compl'Alim ne publie pas la dose des produits déclarés : comparez celle de l'étiquette à ce plafond et à la limite de sécurité de l'EFSA.
French orders of 9 May 2006 and 14 November 2006 as published in the Official Journal (maximum daily doses), retrieved 21 October 2026.
EFSA safety references
Le repère de l'EFSA porte sur l'apport total d'une journée, alimentation et compléments.
| Population | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 years | Upper limit | 7 mg/j |
| 4-6 years | Upper limit | 10 mg/j |
| 7-10 years | Upper limit | 13 mg/j |
| 11-14 years | Upper limit | 18 mg/j |
| 15-17 years | Upper limit | 22 mg/j |
| adults | Upper limit | 25 mg/j |
| pregnancy | Upper limit | 25 mg/j |
| breastfeeding | Upper limit | 25 mg/j |
SCF, 2002c. EFSA, Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (version 11, August 2025), retrieved 21 October 2026.
Maximum dose in France
Maximum daily dose per supplement in France: 15 mg, according to the Order of 9 May 2006.
The doses of the 2006 Order have not been revised since the amending Order of 14 November 2006, and some were annulled by the Conseil d'État in 2011; the DGCCRF accepted higher levels for some nutrients through guidelines published until January 2019, and an update of the Order is being prepared (ministerial answer published in the Official Journal on 11 February 2025).
Order of 9 May 2006, Annex III. French orders of 9 May 2006 and 14 November 2006 as published in the Official Journal (maximum daily doses), retrieved 21 October 2026.
Where to find it in food
Selected everyday foods, ranked by decreasing content across all confidence levels. Each value is at least one tenth of the maximum among the foods examined. Content varies with the food and preparation.
| Food | Content | Unit | Ciqual confidence code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific oyster, raw | 21.8 | mg | A (high) |
| Beef steak, grilled or pan-fried | 5.39 | mg | A (high) |
| Calf liver, cooked | 4.6 | mg | A (high) |
| Brazil nut, no added salt | 4.06 | mg | B (good) |
| Chicken liver, cooked | 3.98 | mg | B (good) |
| Parmesan cheese | 3.9 | mg | A (high) |
| Comté cheese | 3.84 | mg | A (high) |
The Ciqual code indicates confidence in each value: A high, B good, C moderate, D low (a less certain value).
Authorised health claims
- « Zinc contributes to normal DNA synthesis »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to normal acid-base metabolism »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of fatty acids »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of vitamin A »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal bones »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. - « Zinc has a role in the process of cell division »
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
8 refused or revoked claims: they cannot appear on packaging
- « Gastric comfort.
Supports a healthy gastric environment.
Zinc-carnosine supports the natural defenses and healthy ecology of the gastric lining. »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Prevents bad breath by neutralising of volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) in the mouth and oral cavity. »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect has not been linked to a function of the body, as required by Article 13 of the Regulation. - « Supplementation with B-vitamins, iron, magnesium as well as vitamin C can reduce fatigue and tiredness in situations of inadequate micro-nutrient status »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Without enough zinc in your diet, muscular performance will be impaired »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Zinc contributes to a healthy cardiovascular system »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Zinc for a healthy prostate
Zinc helps to maintain a healthy prostate »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Zinc promotes joint health
Zinc helps support the function of the joints »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated. - « Zinc supports a healthy thyroid function. Zinc is beneficial for the thyroid function. »
Reason: Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, the evidence provided is insufficient to substantiate this claimed effect for this food.
Official English text, as entered in the Union register. A claim may only be used under its conditions.
18 authorised claims, 8 refused or revoked. EU Register of nutrition and health claims, retrieved 21 October 2026.
Forms declared in supplements
Union list: vitamin and mineral forms that may be used in a food supplement (Directive 2002/46/EC, Annex II).
Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements, latest consolidated version (Annex II: forms of vitamins and minerals), retrieved 23 October 2026.
- Citrate de zinc 4,482 products on the Union list
- Bisglycinate de zinc 3,887 products on the Union list
- Gluconate de zinc 3,529 products on the Union list
- Oxyde de zinc 2,104 products on the Union list
- Sulfate de zinc 1,561 products on the Union list
- Picolinate de zinc 458 products on the Union list
- L-pidolate de zinc 457 products on the Union list
- Sulfate de zinc mono-L-méthionine 150 products on the Union list
- Carbonate de zinc 83 products on the Union list
- L-aspartate de zinc 52 products on the Union list
- Acétate de zinc 45 products on the Union list
- Lactate de zinc 43 products on the Union list
- Chlorure de zinc 28 products on the Union list
- Malate de zinc 20 products on the Union list
- L-lysinate de zinc 17 products on the Union list
In cosmetics: ZINC OXIDE.
Products containing it
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