Label guides
How to read a health supplement label in India: an 8-point checklist
An 8-point checklist for reading an Indian health supplement label, from the FSSAI licence number to %RDA and warnings, with the FSSAI rules behind each point.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar tablets vs liquid and gummies: how to compare labels
In this guide
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) comes in four common formats: liquid vinegar, gummies, effervescent tablets and chewable tablets. They differ in how the vinegar is delivered, how much ACV one serving gives, and what else is in each serving. To compare them fairly, check five things on the label: the ACV amount per serving, the number of units per serving, the other ingredients (including sugar on the nutrition panel), the directions, and the warnings.
What is apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is vinegar made from apple juice. As a liquid, it is sold for the kitchen as well as for daily use in small, diluted amounts. As a supplement, ACV is also available in dried form inside gummies and tablets, so people who do not like the taste or the smell of vinegar do not have to measure or drink it.
The four formats at a glance
| Format | How you take it | What to check on the label |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid vinegar | Measured with a spoon and diluted, as the label directs | Serving size in ml, dilution directions, any warnings |
| Gummies | Chewed like a sweet | ACV per gummy, gummies per serving, sugar per serving on the nutrition panel |
| Effervescent tablets | Dissolved in water | ACV per tablet, other ingredients, volume of water |
| Chewable tablets | Chewed, as the label directs | ACV per tablet, other ingredients, tablets per day |
None of these formats is right for everyone. The best choice is the one whose label you understand and whose directions fit your routine.
1. Compare the ACV amount per serving
This is the most important number and the easiest to misread. Look for the amount of apple cider vinegar ingredient per unit (per gummy or per tablet) in milligrams, then multiply by the number of units in one serving and by the number of servings the label allows per day. Compare products on that daily figure alone.
Some labels also give a percentage next to the ACV line. That percentage describes the ACV ingredient as printed by the manufacturer. If you are unsure what it refers to, ask the brand before comparing two products on it.
2. Read the other ingredients
ACV products often add other ingredients, from fruit extracts to vitamins, sweeteners, flavours and fillers. The ingredient list should name each one, with the active ingredients listed ahead of the additives. [1] If a product claims to contain a vitamin, check that the vitamin and its amount appear in the nutrition table, not just on the front of the pack.
3. Check the nutrition panel for sugar
In India, nutrition information such as energy, carbohydrate and protein must be declared even for tablets, capsules and syrups. [1] That panel is where you check the energy and sugar per serving. This matters most for gummies and flavoured formats, but it is worth checking on every label, because a daily habit adds up over a month.
4. Work out the cost per serving
Pack prices are hard to compare because pack sizes and serving sizes differ. A simple method is to divide the price by the number of units in the pack, then multiply by the number of units in a daily serving. If a product is on offer, for example buy one get one free, count both packs.
5. Read the directions and warnings
Every supplement label in India must carry warnings or precautions, known side effects, contraindications and published product-drug interactions, as applicable. [1] Read them before you buy. Check the maximum number of units per day, whether the product is for adults only, and who should ask a doctor before use.
A supplement cannot take the place of a varied diet. [2] If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take any medicine, speak to your doctor before adding an ACV product to your routine.
About Cider Core Slim
Cider Core Slim is our apple cider vinegar chewable tablet. Per serving, the label lists apple cider vinegar (5%) 200 mg, acerola cherry extract 294 mg and 0.26 g added sugar. Each jar holds 60 chewable tablets. The label direction is: "Chew 1 tablet before meals or as prescribed by your healthcare professional." Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
The label warning reads: "Warning: for adults only. Keep out of reach of children. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose." It also advises that anyone with a disease or medical condition, anyone pregnant, lactating or trying to conceive, and anyone on medication should consult their healthcare professional before use. Cider Core Slim is a German formula, made fresh in India. You can also browse our apple cider vinegar tablets range.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to drink liquid vinegar if I take ACV tablets?
No. Tablets and gummies contain ACV in dried form, so there is no liquid to measure or drink. Follow the directions on the label.
When should I take apple cider vinegar chewable tablets?
Follow the label of your product. For Cider Core Slim, the label says: "Chew 1 tablet before meals or as prescribed by your healthcare professional."
How many ACV tablets can I take a day?
Take no more than the recommended daily dose printed on the label. Taking more than the label dose is not better.
Are ACV gummies and ACV tablets the same?
Both contain apple cider vinegar in dried form, but the amount per unit, the number of units per serving and the other ingredients can be very different. Compare the daily ACV amount and check the nutrition panel for sugar per serving.
What does one serving of Cider Core Slim contain?
Per serving, the label lists apple cider vinegar (5%) 200 mg, acerola cherry extract 294 mg and 0.26 g added sugar. The full ingredient list and nutrition panel are on the product page.
Is apple cider vinegar a medicine?
No. ACV supplements are sold as health supplements under FSSAI's food rules and may not claim to prevent, treat or cure a disease. Our guide to reading a supplement label in India explains what else to check. [1]
This article is general information, not medical advice. Our products are health supplements, not medicines, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please read the label before use.
Sources
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. FAQs on the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016 (6 October 2020). fssai.gov.in (PDF)
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know (consumer fact sheet, updated 4 January 2023). ods.od.nih.gov
Sources checked on 30 September 2026.
More from Health Knowledge
View all guides
Heart & circulation
Fruitflow® tomato extract: what it is, how it's made and what to check on the label
A plain guide to Fruitflow® tomato extract: where it comes from, how it is made, how it differs from lycopene and what to look for on a label.
Amino acids
L-arginine 500 mg capsules: what L-arginine is, food sources and what to check on the label
What L-arginine is, which foods contain it, how to read an L-arginine capsule label and who should not take it, with the label facts for L-Arginine Revive Essence.