⛔
Regulatory ban. This ingredient is banned or restricted in one or more countries. See Regulatory Status below.
SAFE

Chromium

Chromium picolinate
Possibly Safe V4 Verified Minerals
Scan supplement →
Upper Safe Limit
No UL established (EFSA); 250mcg/day typical supplemental dose
PubMed Studies
704
PubChem CID
About

Chromium is a trace mineral that enhances insulin signalling. EU approved claim: contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism and maintenance of normal blood glucose levels.

How it works (mechanism of action)

Chromium-binding molecule called chromodulin (LMWCr) potentiates insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity when chromium binds. Increases GLUT4 translocation to cell membranes.

⚖️ Regulatory Status
⛔
SG — Banned
HSA Singapore prohibition (2004) — ephedra alkaloid supplements prohibited.
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MY — Banned
NPRA Malaysia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited.
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NL — Banned
NVWA prohibition (2004).
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NZ — Banned
Medsafe NZ — ephedrine alkaloid supplements banned following FDA and TGA action.
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PH — Banned
FDA Philippines — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid-containing food supplements banned following international regulatory action.
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AE — Banned
UAE MOH prohibition — ephedra supplements banned. Ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical.
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PL — Banned
GIS Poland prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.
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ID — Banned
BPOM Indonesia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited.
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PT — Banned
ASAE Portugal prohibition aligned with EU ban on ephedrine alkaloid supplements.
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SA — Banned
SFDA Saudi Arabia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited. Controlled as prescription drug.
⛔
SE — Banned
Livsmedelsverket Sweden prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.
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ES — Banned
AEMPS Spain prohibition aligned with EU ban on ephedrine alkaloid supplements.
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DK — Banned
Banned (2023) — Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA). Liver toxicity and thyroid disruption reports. All preparations ordered off market.
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DE — Banned
BfArM banned kava-containing products in Germany in 2002 due to hepatotoxicity risk. Cases of liver failure and death reported.
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CH — Banned
Swissmedic banned kava in Switzerland due to hepatotoxicity.
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BE — Banned
FASFC Belgium prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.
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US — Banned
FDA issued warning letter against oral comfrey products. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids causing liver damage.
⚠️
IN — Restricted
CDSCO India (2004) — available only under prescription as pharmaceutical products.
⚠️
TH — Restricted
FDA Thailand — ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical. Not permitted in food supplements.
⚠️
TW — Restricted
TFDA Taiwan — ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical drug. Not permitted as health food ingredient. Products with ephedra claims require pharmaceutical registration.
⚠️
ZA — Restricted
SAHPRA (2004) — Schedule 2; pharmacist oversight required.
⚠️
KR — Restricted
MFDS South Korea (2003) — maximum dose restrictions. Not permitted for weight loss products.
⚠️
JP — Restricted
MHLW Japan (2003) — maximum dose limits; not permitted for weight loss marketing. Ephedrine controlled under pharmaceutical regulations.
⚠️
IT — Restricted
Italian Ministry of Health — berberine supplements restricted to max 10mg/day without medical supervision.
⚠️
IE — Restricted
FSAI monitoring (2024) following Danish ban and hepatotoxicity reports. Products without adequate safety data may face withdrawal.
⚠️
HK — Restricted
Department of Health Hong Kong — ephedrine-containing preparations controlled as pharmaceutical products. Not permitted as health food supplements without pharmaceutical registration.
⚠️
GB — Restricted
MHRA (2004) — ephedrine alkaloid supplements restricted. Maximum doses apply under the Medicines Act.
⚠️
FR — Restricted
ANSES (2013) — maximum dose restrictions following EFSA genotoxicity concerns.
⚠️
EU — Restricted
EFSA (2010) — genotoxicity concerns. Maximum dose levels apply. Several EU member states have restricted high-dose products.
⚠️
CN — Restricted
NMPA China — berberine (berberine hydrochloride) registered as pharmaceutical (OTC drug) for specific indications. Not permitted as general health food ingredient at pharmaceutical doses.
💊
CA — Prescription only
DHEA is a controlled substance in Canada, available by prescription only.
💊
AU — Prescription only
DHEA is scheduled as a prescription-only medicine in Australia (Schedule 4).
💊
AT — Prescription only
AGES Austria — melatonin classified as prescription-only medicinal product. Not permitted as food supplement.
📊 Effectiveness
Blood sugar regulation
Evidence Grade B · 22 studies · n=3,200
Possibly Effective
Weight management
Evidence Grade C · 12 studies · n=1,400
Possibly Effective

Evidence grades: A=Strong RCT evidence · B=Good clinical trials · C=Limited trials · D=Preliminary/traditional

👥 Safety by Population
PopulationSafety RatingMax Safe Dose
DiabetesPossibly safe200-1000mcg/day with monitoring
GeneralPossibly safe200mcg/day
🚫 Contraindications & Warnings

Generally safe at supplemental doses. Chromium picolinate form occasionally associated with DNA damage concerns in vitro — clinical significance uncertain. Theoretical interaction with antidiabetic medications (additive blood glucose lowering).

🇪🇺 EU Health Claims Status
Art.13(1)
✓ Authorised
The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of trivalent chromium 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.
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 1
Art.13(1)
✓ Authorised
The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of trivalent chromium 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.
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 1
Art.13(1)
✓ Authorised
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.
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 1
Art.13(1)
✓ Authorised
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.
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 1
Art.13(1)
✓ Authorised
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.
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 1
Art.13(1)
✓ Authorised
Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated.
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 1
Products containing this ingredient (5)
🏷️ Other Names
Chromium picolinate Chromium GTF Chromium polynicotinate Chromium nicotinate Chromium (as picolinate)
Updated: 2026-03-30
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