# Is creatine vegan in South Africa?

Source: https://www.healthnews24.co.za/answers/is-creatine-vegan-south-africa/
Publisher: Healthnews24 (South Africa's supplement answer desk)
Updated: 2026-10-27

> Creatine monohydrate is usually vegan in South Africa: commercial creatine is made by chemical synthesis, not from meat or fish. The risks are in the packaging, not the molecule: gelatine capsules, softgels, flavourings and blends. As of October 2026, USN Pure Creatine is tagged vegan on its own shop, but vegan certification is rarely published, so check each label.

Key facts:
- Supplement creatine is made by chemical synthesis rather than from meat or fish, so plain monohydrate powder is generally vegan.
- Burke et al. 2003: vegetarians started with lower muscle creatine stores and gained more from supplementation than meat-eaters.
- USN's shop tags Pure Creatine as Vegan and Halaal; no certifier is named (October 2026).
- Plain creatine monohydrate in South Africa costs about R2.22 to R5.55 per 5 g (October 2026).

## Is creatine made from animals?

Creatine occurs naturally in meat and fish, and your body makes some itself. The creatine in supplements, however, is manufactured by chemical synthesis, so a plain creatine monohydrate powder contains no animal-derived material. That is why it is widely accepted as suitable for vegans. The remaining question is what else is in the tub.

## What should vegans check on a creatine label?

- **Capsule or softgel shell:** many capsules are gelatine, which is animal-derived. Creatine HCl products sold as softgels, for example NPL Creatine HCl 120 softgels (R339.99 at Dis-Chem Living Fit), need checking with the manufacturer; we did not verify the shell material.
- **Flavours and blends:** creatine mixed with carbohydrates, aminos or "matrix" ingredients can add non-vegan items. Pure powders are simplest.
- **Certification:** a "vegan" statement is a brand claim unless a vegan certification body is named. Among South African products in our research, USN's shop tags its Pure Creatine (200 g, 300 g and 410 g) as Vegan and Halaal, and New Leaf's micronised creatine listing says vegan; neither names a certifier. ATP Fitness Micronised Creatine Monohydrate is a single-ingredient powder, but vegan certification is not published.

## Why does it matter more for vegans and vegetarians?

Because vegans eat no meat or fish, their muscle creatine stores start lower. In a double-blind study of 18 vegetarians and 24 non-vegetarians (Burke et al. 2003), vegetarians began with lower muscle creatine and gained more muscle creatine, lean mass and work capacity on supplementation. Creatine is an AIS Group A performance supplement, and the ISSN position stand recommends 3-5 g a day.

See [creatine for vegetarians and vegans](/answers/creatine-for-vegetarians-and-vegans/) for dosing detail.

## What does vegan-friendly creatine cost in South Africa?

As of October 2026, plain monohydrate powders cost between R2.22 and R5.55 per 5 g at mainstream retailers. Examples:

| Product | Price | R per 5 g |
|---|---|---|
| USN Pure Creatine 300 g | R279 to R299 (USN shop) | about R4.98 |
| ATP Fitness Micronised Creatine 600 g | R500 (ATP shop) | R4.17 |
| New Leaf Micronised Creatine 150 g | R415 (Faithful to Nature) | R13.83 |

If you need a verified vegan or halaal mark, ask the brand for its certificate rather than relying on the retailer page. For all options, see the [best creatine in South Africa](/best/best-creatine-south-africa/).

## Who should ask a professional first?

People with kidney disease, those on medication that affects the kidneys, and pregnant or breastfeeding women should speak to a doctor before taking creatine. Under-18s should not self-prescribe; see [creatine and teenagers](/answers/is-creatine-safe-for-teenagers-south-africa/).

## Products mentioned

| Product | Size | Price (source, date) | Servings | R per 5 g | Sweeteners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USN Pure Creatine Monohydrate 300 g | 300 g | R279-R299 (USN online shop, 2026-10) | — | R4.98 | not stated |
| ATP Fitness Micronised Creatine Monohydrate | 600 g | R500 (ATP Fitness shop, 2026-10) | — | R4.17 | None |
| New Leaf Creatine Powder Micronised 150 g | 150 g | R415 (Faithful to Nature, 2026-10) | — | R13.83 | not stated |

Disclosure: ATP Fitness is a commercial partner of Healthnews24 and its products are featured on this site. Rankings follow our published method, and every pick, including ATP Fitness, shows its price maths and trade-offs.

## Sources

- [Burke et al. 2003, Effect of creatine and weight training on muscle creatine and performance in vegetarians (Med Sci Sports Exerc)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14600563/)
- [Kreider et al. 2017, ISSN position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine (JISSN)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5469049/)
- [Australian Institute of Sport Supplement Framework, Group A](https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/nutrition/supplements/group_a)