Most risky wellness listings give themselves away if you know where to look. None of these checks needs a lab, and together they take less than five minutes.
The checklist
Seven checks before you pay
- Find the FDA numberIn the description or the label photos. Then look it up. A real number on the wrong product is a classic trick. How to check.
- Search the advisoriesOn the FDA portal, search the brand and open the FDA Advisory tab. The FDA regularly names unregistered and adulterated products sold online.
- Compare with the official storeFind the brand’s own store. A big gap in price for the same product, from an unknown seller, is a warning.
- Look for an expiry dateCheck the specification panel and photos. In one listing we reviewed, the specification panel showed an expiry date that had already passed.
- Check the label languageA label entirely in a foreign language with no local distributor named usually means a personal import, not a locally registered product.
- Read the seller detailsHow long has the shop existed? Does it state it is an authorised distributor? Is stock suspiciously low or the discount suspiciously high?
- Read the claimsMiracle results, “100% immunity”, “cures in 7 days”. The bigger the promise, the more careful you should be.
Red flags
The warning signs we see most often
- 01Discounts of 80% or moreSome supplement listings we checked showed discounts of 85 to 92 percent from an inflated “original” price.
- 02Brand under FDA advisoriesWe found one brand with five FDA advisories on other products still appearing in search results.
- 03Receipts as proof“Here is my receipt from Japan” proves where the seller bought it, not that it is registered here or stored properly.
- 04Mismatched detailsTitle says 100 capsules, photo shows 60. Spec panel names a different brand. Small contradictions add up.
If you already bought it
What to do next
- Do not use a product you suspect is fake or unregistered, especially skincare that promises fast whitening.
- Request a return or refund through Shopee or TikTok Shop within the return window.
- For Shopee Mall purchases, check whether the authenticity guarantee applies.
- Report the product to FDA Philippines through its official website, with the listing link and photos.
Fake product questions
How can I tell if a supplement on Shopee is fake?
Check the FDA registration number on the portal, compare the price with the brand’s official store, look for an expiry date, and be wary of extreme discounts and miracle claims.
Are products on TikTok Shop more likely to be fake?
The same checks apply on both platforms. Buy from the brand’s official shop where possible and check the registration either way.
Is an imported brand automatically fake?
No. But a product that is not registered in the Philippines has not been evaluated by the FDA, and a reseller’s storage conditions are unknown.
What if the seller says the product is authentic?
Authentic and registered are different things. Check the FDA portal regardless of what the seller says.
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