What ConsumerLab tested
ConsumerLab, an independent testing organization, tested a range of multivitamins and found that 32% failed testing. This is one of the highest failure rates ConsumerLab has reported for any supplement category. The tests checked whether products contained the amounts of ingredients listed on their labels, whether they disintegrated properly, and whether they were free of contamination.
32% of multivitamins failed independent testing. That is 1 in 3 products on the shelf that do not contain what their label claims.
What failing means
A product can fail ConsumerLab testing for several reasons: incorrect ingredient amounts (too much or too little of a vitamin or mineral), failure to disintegrate (the pill does not break down in the body, so the ingredients are not absorbed), contamination with heavy metals or other substances, or mislabeling.
The specific products that failed and the reasons for failure are available on the ConsumerLab website, which requires a subscription to access the full report. The headline finding is that the most popular supplement category in the world has a significant quality control problem.
How to check your brand
- Look for third-party certification: NSF, USP, or ConsumerLab seals on the label mean the product has been independently tested.
- Check the ConsumerLab website for specific brand results, which require a subscription but are the most detailed source.
- Check Labdoor rankings for independent lab testing and quality scores.
- Avoid products with blends without listed amounts that do not disclose individual ingredient amounts.