Big brands, retailers, and social media platforms have pulled various supplements from their listings following a safety investigation. Which? found that online marketplaces were selling supplements containing up to 12.5 times the recommended safe upper limit of popular vitamins and minerals.
Which? experts examined Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, and Zinc supplements available for purchase on platforms like AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Superdrug, Temu, and TikTok Shop. For instance, while the NHS advises a daily Vitamin D intake of 10 micrograms (µg) with a safe limit of up to 100µg for adults, products like Nuke Nutrition 10,000 IU (250µg) vitamin D3 supplements were found on Superdrug Marketplace, TikTok shop, and eBay.
Nuke Nutrition promptly withdrew the product for investigation after the discovery. Additionally, Which? uncovered vitamin D3 supplements on AliExpress in doses of 50,000 IU or 1,250µg, significantly exceeding the recommended daily intake.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed concerning levels of Vitamin D supplements for children on sale, such as the Pslalae brand’s “Growth” and “Height Growth Maximiser” supplements containing 2,500 IU (62.5µg) of vitamin D3, surpassing the recommended dose for children aged one to ten.
The sale of supplements exceeding safe limits extended to other vitamins and minerals as well. For example, Etsy, TikTok Shop, and eBay were offering 25,000 IU or 7,500µg vitamin A supplements from the brand Mother Nature. Similarly, products like Vitamin B6 supplements at 100mg doses were found on Temu, Solgar, and Holland & Barrett, surpassing the advised 10mg limit.
Responding to the findings, some platforms have taken action. For instance, Holland & Barrett removed non-compliant products from sale. Amazon, another platform flagged by Which?, stated that the products met current regulatory guidance but acknowledged ongoing discussions on appropriate dosage levels.
Regarding zinc supplements, Amazon and Superdrug Marketplace offered options exceeding the NHS recommended 25mg limit. Holland & Barrett, eBay, and TikTok Shop also sold zinc supplements containing more than the advised daily intake, which can lead to potential health issues.
Which? Head of Food Policy, Sue Davies, expressed concern over the availability of supplements with unsafe doses and called for better regulation in the industry to protect consumers from potential harm. Various platforms responded to the investigation, emphasizing compliance with regulations and committing to reviewing and updating their policies to ensure consumer safety.