Warning issued over 'dangerous' vitamin supplements sold online

Supplements sold online contain up to 12.5 times the recommended limit of popular vitamins and minerals, experts have warned. An investigation by Which? found products sold on websites including Amazon, eBay, Superdrug Marketplace and TikTok Shop exceeded recommended doses.

Sue Davies, the consumer champion's head of food policy, said: "It's shocking that supplements containing potentially dangerous doses of popular vitamins and minerals are so readily available online. Taking more than the recommended dose of these vitamins and minerals has been linked to some really harmful side effects such as liver damage and weakened bones."

Which? used NHS guidance and a report from the UK's Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals to determine safe upper limits.

They focused on four supplements that carry the biggest risk of harm - vitamins A, B6 and D3, and zinc.

Researchers found a product sold on the global online marketplace AliExpress contained 1,250µg doses of vitamin D3, 12.5 times the recommended daily dose of 100µg.

Doses as high as 250µg can lead to too much calcium in the blood and consequences including vomiting, confusion, weak bones and kidney failure.

Such high doses might be used once a week to treat vitamin D deficiency, but only for a short period and under a doctor's supervision.

Temu also sold "Growth" and "Height Growth Maximiser" supplements from the brand Pslalae, described as "perfect for kids, teens and adults", containing 62.5µg of vitamin D3.

Other websites sold B6 supplements in doses 10 times higher than daily recommended limits, and vitamin A at doses five times higher.

Some zinc supplements were found to contain twice as much as recommended. Which? Is calling for better regulation and oversight of online marketplaces and food supplement manufacturers.

Ms Davies added: "Better regulation and oversight of the supplements industry is desperately needed so that consumers are not put at risk by regularly consuming products which contain more than the advised safe upper levels."

AliExpress said it placed "great emphasis on product safety". A statement to Which? added: "The platform has effective prevention and control strategies in place, and we noticed that this non-compliance product had already been taken down by corresponding monitoring rule early this month before receiving this enquiry."

Amazon said: "We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws and regulations, and the products flagged by Which? meet the current government mandated regulatory guidance in relation to upper levels for vitamins and minerals.

"However, we are aware there is continued debate around what the right guidance should be and we look forward to continuing to work with industry experts and government agencies in this area."

eBay said it was "committed to ensuring that products sold on our marketplace comply with our policies and all applicable laws". A statement added: "The limits published by the NHS and the Food Standards Agency's Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals are advisory levels only. We continue to review our policies in line with evolving guidance from health authorities to help ensure eBay remains a safe and trusted marketplace."

Superdrug said: "Our customers' health and wellbeing are always our priority. Our marketplace platform sellers must follow the guidance provided and we have therefore removed all the products that have been highlighted by Which?."

Temu said: "Temu complies with all applicable UK laws and regulations governing the sale of food supplements. We expect all sellers to follow local laws and regulations, and listings found to contravene these are subject to prompt review and removal."

TikTok shop said: "Supplements containing unauthorised or banned substances are not allowed to be sold on TikTok Shop. We have removed all of the flagged listings from our platform and we consistently align our policies with regulatory and national guidance, including from the NHS."