Numerous well-known brands, retailers, and social media platforms have removed various supplements following a safety investigation. An examination conducted by Which? revealed that supplements containing up to 12.5 times the recommended safe upper limit of popular vitamins and minerals are being marketed on online platforms.
Consumer safety experts scrutinized Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, and Zinc supplements available for purchase on popular marketplaces such as AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Superdrug, Temu, and TikTok Shop.
The NHS recommends a daily intake of 10 micrograms (µg) of Vitamin D, with adults able to safely consume up to 100µg, including from food sources. However, listings on Superdrug Marketplace, TikTok Shop, and eBay featured Nuke Nutrition 10,000 IU (250µg) vitamin D3 supplements for sale.
Upon discovery, Nuke Nutrition promptly withdrew the product from sale for further investigation. Which? also found vitamin D3 supplements on AliExpress in doses of 50,000 IU or 1,250µg – exceeding the recommended daily dosage by 12.5 times.
Excessive doses of Vitamin D, such as 10,000 IU, can pose health risks, including hypercalcaemia, leading to issues ranging from vomiting and confusion to bone weakening and kidney failure. Such high doses should only be administered under medical supervision to address specific conditions.
Which? identified Vitamin D supplements for children on sale, which contained significantly more than the advised dose of 2,000 IU or 50µg for individuals aged one to ten. Temu offered “Growth” and “Height Growth Maximiser” supplements from the brand Pslalae, advertised as suitable for children, teens, and adults, containing 2,500 IU (62.5µg) of vitamin D3.
Vitamin A plays a vital role in vision, immune system support, and skin health. The NHS suggests a daily intake of no more than 1500µg of Vitamin A, while the European Food Safety Authority recommended a limit of 3000µg in 2024 to support vision, the immune system, and skin health.
Etsy, TikTok Shop, and eBay sold 25,000 IU or 7,500µg vitamin A supplements from the brand Mother Nature. Consumers are advised not to exceed 10mg of Vitamin B6 intake. Nonetheless, Which? discovered supplements with 100mg doses on Temu, as well as Solgar and Holland & Barrett.
Holland & Barrett withdrew the product flagged by Which? after being notified. Amazon’s popular zinc supplement, recommended by the NHS not to exceed 25mg, contained 50mg from the brand WeightWorld.
The 50mg Now Foods zinc supplement, also available on eBay and TikTok Shop, labeled as “Amazon’s Choice,” raised concerns. Both Amazon and Superdrug Marketplace offered a 50mg zinc supplement from New Leaf. The NHS warns that consuming over 25mg of zinc daily can lead to a copper deficiency, resulting in fatigue and anaemia.
Sue Davies, the head of food policy at Which?, expressed shock over the availability of supplements with potentially harmful doses of popular vitamins and minerals online. She emphasized the need for better regulation and oversight in the supplements industry to prevent consumers from being exposed to products exceeding safe upper limits.
AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, and other platforms responded, emphasizing compliance with regulations and ongoing efforts to align with health authorities’ guidance. Retailers like Superdrug and Holland & Barrett took proactive steps to address identified issues, while manufacturers like Mother Nature and New Leaf provided explanations for their products’ dosage levels.
In conclusion, the investigation highlighted the importance of ensuring that supplements adhere to recommended safety levels to protect consumers from potential health risks.