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News Release

October 07, 2009

ConsumerLab.com finds that only two-thirds of alpha-lipoic acid supplements selected for testing pass quality review -- Anti-oxidant supplements helpful to diabetics

White Plains, New York — Wednesday, October 7, — Alpha-lipoic acid (also called lipoic acid) is a natural anti-oxidant that can help diabetics reduce symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and control blood sugar, among other uses. ConsumerLab.

CL Answer

Can I trust lab reports and Certificates of Analysis provided by supplement manufacturers?

Lab reports and Certificates of Analysis are provided by supplement manufacturers, but sometimes include incorrect testing and "dry labbing". ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Can I trust lab reports provided by supplement manufacturers?

Clinical Update

11/28/2017

Growing Concern with Biotin Causing False Lab Results

Biotin (a B vitamin found in B-complex and hair and nail supplements) can interfere with laboratory results resulting in the missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of cardiovascular and hormonal conditions, such as Graves' disease (a form of hyperthyroidism). Physicians and lab personnel may be unaware of this interference. For details, see the "Biotin" section of the B Vitamins Review >>

Recalls & Warnings

November 21, 2024

Douglas Labs Stress-B-Plus Recalled

On October 7, 2024, Nestle Health Science (NHS U.S., LLC) issued a recall of two lots of Douglas Labs Stress-B-Plus because it contains incorrect information on the label.

Recalls & Warnings

May 11, 2022

FDA Warns 10 Companies for Selling Workout Supplements With Dangerous Ingredients

On May 4, 2022, the FDA issued warning letters to 10 companies for selling products promoted for muscle building, fat burning and other uses that contain potentially dangerous ingredients not permitted in dietary supplements, including hordenine, higenamine, 5-alpha-hydroxy-laxogenin, and CBD.

Recalls & Warnings

December 09, 2021

Florida Man Convicted for Distributing Steroids Labeled as Dietary Supplements

On December 9, 2021, 37-year-old Florida resident James Boccuzzi was convicted of one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Recalls & Warnings

April 10, 2021

Companies Deceived Consumers About Fish Oil for Liver Disease, Says FTC

On April 1, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that fish oil supplement manufacturer BASF SE and its U.S.

Recalls & Warnings

February 17, 2021

FDA Warns Dr. Paul's Lab for COVID-19 Claims

On February 16, 2021, the FDA issued a warning letter to Dr. Paul's Lab following a review of the company's website by the FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for selling COVID-Aid Tincture with unsupported claims that it can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).

Recalls & Warnings

June 16, 2020

NutraCap Labs Warned for Unsafe Ingredients and Manufacturing Violations

On May 21, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to NutraCap Labs LLC, which found the company's products to be adulterated because they were prepared, packed, or held under conditions that violate Current Good Manufacturing Practices for dietary supplements.

Recalls & Warnings

November 09, 2019

Biotin Supplements Can Cause False Lab Test Results

On November 5, 2019, the FDA reminded consumers and health care providers that high amounts of biotin (vitamin B-7), found in many supplements, can significantly interfere with certain lab tests and cause incorrect results that may go undetected.

Recalls & Warnings

May 23, 2020

FTC Warns 50 More Companies for Coronavirus Claims

On May 21, 2020, the FTC announced that it sent warning letters to 50 companies for selling products such as herbal products, immune system boosters, and vitamin C, with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).

Recalls & Warnings

May 16, 2020

CBD Oil Recalled, Risk of High Lead Exposure

On May 15, 2020, Summitt Labs issued a recall of one batch of KORE ORGANIC Watermelon CBD Oil Tincture due to contamination with lead. A random sample of this product tested by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found it to contain lead levels at 4.7 ppm.

Recalls & Warnings

May 02, 2020

Seller of Botanical and CBD Oil Patches Warned for Coronavirus Claims

On April 27, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to Santiste Labs LLC for promoting its transdermal patches containing botanical oils and/or CBD with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).

Recalls & Warnings

January 20, 2006

Another Ginkgo Supplement Recalled

On January 19, 2006, Olympian Labs informed ConsumerLab.com that it recently issued a recall of a line of Ginkgo biloba supplements because the products "did not meet our specifications that our raw material supplier was contracted to follow.

Recalls & Warnings

August 18, 2006

Restitution Program for Purchases of Lane Labs' Products

On August 17, 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it was notifying consumers of a restitution (refund) program for purchasers of three of Lane Labs-USA, Inc.'s products. The products are BeneFin, MGN-3 and SkinAnswer.

Recalls & Warnings

May 02, 2017

Seller of Amino Acid Supplements & More Warned for Manufacturing Violations

On April 20, 2017 the FDA issued a warning letter to Naturecom Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

July 15, 2014

Pinnacle Labs International Warned for Manufacturing Violations

On June 24, 2014, the FDA issued a warning letter to Pinnacle Labs International, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

January 02, 2012

FDA Warns ION Labs of Manufacturing Violations Affecting Multiple Dietary Supplements

On December 5, 2011 the U.S.

Recalls & Warnings

January 16, 2010

Recall of Body Building Supplements Containing Steroids

On January 15, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a voluntary recall notice from MuscleMaster.com, Inc. regarding all lots and expiration dates of seventeen dietary supplements sold in 2009 from June 1 and Novemember 17.

Recalls & Warnings

July 30, 2008

Recall of Viapro Capsules Due to Potentially Harmful Ingredient

The U.S. FDA has posted a release noting that EG Labs, LLC announced a nationwide voluntary recall on July 23, 2008 of all lots of its supplement product sold under the brand name, Viapro, in 375mg capsules.

Recalls & Warnings

March 04, 2008

Two Supplements Recalled for Containing Viagra-like Compounds

On March 4, 2008, the FDA posted a release from Palo Alto Labs (dated February 28) announcing a voluntary nationwide recall of the company's supplement products sold under the name Aspire36 and Aspire Lite.

Recalls & Warnings

March 08, 2007

FTC Files Against Maker of Calcium and Fertility Supplements

On January 29, 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it had filed civil contempt charges against Lane Labs, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

January 10, 2013

FDA Warns Aloe and Herbal Supplement Companies For Manufacturing Violations

AloeScience Labs, Inc. -- On November 14, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to AloeScience Labs, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

December 27, 2012

Two Supplement Companies Warned For Manufacturing Violations

Sterling USA Neutraceutical Lab, LLC -- On November 16, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to Sterling USA Neutraceutical Lab, LLC following a facility inspection which found the company’s dietary supplements to be adulterated because they were have been prepared, packed, or held under ...

Recalls & Warnings

August 02, 2012

FDA Warns Two Supplement Makers of Manufacturing Violations

On July 19, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to H & L Jerch Sales, Inc. for failing to maintain written quality control procedures, which constitutes a violation of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and caused the company’s products to be declared adulterated.

Recalls & Warnings

December 01, 2017

Nutra Labs Recalls Sexual Enhancement Supplements Containing Undeclared Drugs

On November 30, 2017, Nutra Labs Inc. recalled certain lots of its sexual enhancement supplements Bull 1800 mg Capsules and Chao Jimengnan 150 mg Tablets because they were found to contain undeclared sildenafil.

Recalls & Warnings

November 01, 2017

FDA Warns Sellers of Bodybuilding Supplements Containing Steroid-Like Substances

On October 23, 2017, the FDA issued warning letters to three supplement distributors because several of their bodybuilding products contain selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs).

Recalls & Warnings

August 19, 2015

Soylent Meal Replacement Powder Reported to Contain Lead and Cadmium

On August 13, 2015, an environmental-health watchdog group, As You Sow, filed a notice of intent to bring legal action against Soylent, a "meal replacement" powder, alleging violation of California's "Prop 65" Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act ...

Recalls & Warnings

July 12, 2015

Marketers of Memory Supplement to Pay $1.4 Million to Settle FTC Charges

On July 8, 2015, the FTC announced the marketers of Procera AVH (Brain Research Labs Inc.) have agreed to pay $1.4 million to settle charges they made deceptive claims that the supplement could significantly improve memory, mood and cognitive function.

Recalls & Warnings

March 24, 2015

FTC Mails Refund Checks for Calcium Supplements

On March 18, 2015, the FTC announced 17,606 refund checks, totaling $954,828 were mailed to consumers who purchased the calcium supplement AdvaCAL (Lane Labs).