Can I say it?
Can I say “no side effects” in a supplement ad?
Usually no. 6 rules fired across 3 sample sentences, and the checker's own text explains why.
The short answer
Usually no. The checker blocks the bare phrase in this setting. The first rule it hits is CG-ABS-003. Its reason: Claims of no risk or no side effects are unsubstantiated safety claims.
Source the rule cites: FTC Act section 5; FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance; 21 CFR 202.1 (prescription drug advertising, fair balance)
Checked as an ad promoting a supplement or wellness product. Context changes the result. The same samples hit these blocking rules: 3 in a drug or device ad, 3 in a supplement ad, 2 in a clinical service ad.
A clear result is not an all-clear. The checker flags wording for review and does not know your evidence, your state or your platform's review. Read the limitations.
Sample wording, run through the checker
These are sentences written to contain the phrase, not real claims. Each ran through the real engine and the shipped rule-set when this site was built.
No side effects at all.
- BlockingCG-ABS-003Absolute promises. Matched: “No side effects”
- Blocking
CG-EFF-013Efficacy and proof. Matched: “No side effects” - WarningCG-TRH-002Efficacy and proof. Matched: “No side effects”
- Warning
CG-TRC-011Absolute promises. Matched: “No side effects”
Our formula has no side effects.
- BlockingCG-ABS-003Absolute promises. Matched: “no side effects”
- Blocking
CG-EFF-013Efficacy and proof. Matched: “no side effects” - WarningCG-TRH-002Efficacy and proof. Matched: “no side effects”
- Warning
CG-TRC-011Absolute promises. Matched: “no side effects” - Warning
CG-TRK-009Absolute promises. Matched: “has no side effects”
Zero side effects, even for long-term use.
- BlockingCG-ABS-012Absolute promises. Matched: “Zero side effects”
- Blocking
CG-EFF-013Efficacy and proof. Matched: “Zero side effects” - WarningCG-TRH-002Efficacy and proof. Matched: “Zero side effects”
- Warning
CG-TRC-011Absolute promises. Matched: “Zero side effects” - Warning
CG-TRK-009Absolute promises. Matched: “Zero side effects”
What to say instead
This version came back with no rule fired:
Some people report mild stomach upset. Read the label and talk to your doctor before you start.
What the rules themselves suggest:
- CG-ABS-003 State known risks and side effects fairly, or say who should talk to a clinician first.
- CG-ABS-012 Describe the known risks and side effects, or say where they are explained, in place of claiming there are none.
- CG-EFF-013 Remove safety absolutes. Describe known risks and who should not use the product.
The rules behind this answer
Reason, source and citation for each rule that fired, in the checker's own words. Blocking rules come first.
CG-ABS-003 · Blocks approval · Citation checked against stored text
Claims of no risk or no side effects are unsubstantiated safety claims.
Source: FTC Act section 5; FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance; 21 CFR 202.1 (prescription drug advertising, fair balance)
Safer wording: State known risks and side effects fairly, or say who should talk to a clinician first.
21 CFR 202.1 · Needs counsel review
CG-ABS-012 · Blocks approval · Citation checked against stored text
Zero-risk, zero-pain and no-downside claims are absolute safety claims. Every treatment has risks, and they must be disclosed fairly.
Source: FTC Act section 5; FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance; 21 CFR 202.1
Safer wording: Describe the known risks and side effects, or say where they are explained, in place of claiming there are none.
21 CFR 202.1 · Needs counsel review
CG-EFF-013 · Blocks approval
Saying a treatment or product is completely safe or has no side effects is a safety absolute that cannot be substantiated and hides real risks.
Source: FTC Act section 5; FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance; FDCA 502(n) (risk information in drug advertising)
Safer wording: Remove safety absolutes. Describe known risks and who should not use the product.
See source text · Needs counsel review
CG-TRH-002 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text
Claims of zero complications, that most patients reach a specific result, or that a procedure is permanent or painless are unsubstantiated outcome guarantees, and blaming non-responders is misleading about typical results.
Source: FTC Act section 5; FTC Endorsement Guides, 16 CFR 255.2(b) (typical results); FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance (2022)
Safer wording: Report only outcome figures you can substantiate for the whole patient population, state what typical patients experience, and avoid never, zero and for-life language.
16 CFR 255.2(b) · Needs counsel review
CG-TRC-011 · Warns
Claiming no complications, no side effects or no risk is a false safety guarantee; every procedure and drug carries risk and unsupported safety claims are deceptive.
Source: FTC Act section 5 and FTC Policy Statement on Deception; FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance (substantiation); state medical board advertising rules
Safer wording: Describe real risks and recovery times, cite your complication rate if you have data, and avoid words like zero, never or safest.
See source text · Needs counsel review
CG-TRK-009 · Warns
Absolute safety claims such as no hospital visits, no risk or zero recovery cannot be substantiated for medical procedures or hormone products and hide real adverse-event risk.
Source: FTC Act section 5 and FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance (2022) on substantiation; FDA position on compounded bioidentical hormones; 21 USC 352(a)
Safer wording: Remove absolutes. State known risks and side effects in plain terms and avoid claiming safety over approved options.
See source text · Needs counsel review
Background: Clear and conspicuous in the glossary.
Questions
Which rule covers no-side-effect claims?
Rule CG-ABS-003. It cites 21 CFR 202.1. The rule's reason: Claims of no risk or no side effects are unsubstantiated safety claims.
What should I write instead?
The rule's own suggestion for rule CG-ABS-003: State known risks and side effects fairly, or say who should talk to a clinician first.
Does the answer change for a drug, a supplement or a service?
Context changes the result. The same samples hit these blocking rules: 3 in a drug or device ad, 3 in a supplement ad, 2 in a clinical service ad. Pick the type that matches what you promote when you run the checker.
Next step
Check your own wording
Paste your copy into the free checker. Every flag names its rule and its source.