The Rise In Counterfeit Supplements And How To Spot The Fakes

The demand for dietary supplements has never been higher in the health and wellness industry. Purchasing things online has become a generally-trusted normalcy. At the same time, platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and eBay allow just about anyone to sell anything at any price. 

Unfortunately, these phenomena have led to a surge in counterfeit supplements flooding the market. These fake supplements often contain unknown or harmful ingredients, lack the beneficial ingredients they claim to provide, and can pose serious health risks. 

Knowing how to identify authentic, high-quality products is crucial for protecting your well-being and getting the benefits you’re paying for. In this article, we’ll explore the growing issue of counterfeit supplements, the dangers they present, and practical tips to help you spot the fakes.

Why Counterfeit Supplements Are a Growing Concern

The dietary supplement industry is huge, worth over $60 billion, with around 100,000 products available. About 75% of Americans use supplements daily, driving demand for all kinds of health products.

But with this growth comes a rise in bad actors who exist only to make money at the expense of your health and authentic vendors’ businesses. In 2023, Amazon removed over seven million counterfeit products across various categories, showing how big the problem is.

Trusted companies like NOW and Fungi Perfecti have also reported alarming counterfeit cases. NOW found 11 fake products on Amazon, some containing just rice flour or even trace amounts of Sildenafil (a drug for erectile dysfunction).

Fungi Perfecti uncovered 23 counterfeit Amazon storefronts selling fake Host Defense Mushrooms, some containing allergens like soy and gluten, which could harm sensitive individuals.

The US is the most free market in the world, requiring no official registration to open a supplement company. The widespread availability of affordable pill presses and raw powders makes it easier for counterfeiters to produce and distribute fake supplements with little oversight. So, it’s important to know why you should only purchase authentic supplements and health products. 

Potential Dangers of Counterfeit Supplements

With counterfeit supplements, you can’t be sure what you’re getting. Here are the main issues to watch out for:

1) Lack Active Ingredients

With counterfeit supplements, you can’t be sure what you’re getting. These products often lack the active ingredients they claim to provide, making them ineffective. Instead, they may include harmful or untested substances, sometimes at dangerously high levels, leading to serious, lasting injuries.

2) Expired Products

Counterfeit supplements may be manufactured and distributed without adhering to proper quality control practices. This can result in expired or near-expired products being sold to unsuspecting consumers, further compromising safety.

3) Contains Allergens Despite Allergen-Free Labels

Counterfeit products frequently have inaccurate or misleading labels. For instance, a study of 30 “immune health” supplements purchased from Amazon found:

• Seventeen of the 30 products had inaccurate labels.
• Thirteen were misbranded.
• Nine contained additional, unlisted ingredients not disclosed on the label.

These issues can be especially dangerous for individuals with allergies or sensitivities, who may unknowingly ingest allergens despite allergen-free claims.

4) Adulterations or Contamination with Harmful Ingredients

Counterfeit supplements are often misbranded or contaminated with substances like:

• Anabolic steroids
• Erectile dysfunction drugs
• Synthetic stimulants

These harmful ingredients pose significant health risks, particularly when combined with other medications or consumed by individuals with underlying health conditions. Moreover, counterfeit supplements are frequently produced in unsanitary facilities, increasing the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria or other toxic substances.

How Supplements Are Regulated

The United States regulates dietary supplements under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. This law treats supplements as a type of food, not medicine, and puts responsibility for regulating them on two main agencies:

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Ensures supplements are safe, well-made, and properly labeled but doesn’t require pre-sale testing or approval. Manufacturers must follow guidelines (called Current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMP) to avoid contamination and ensure accuracy, but the FDA typically responds only after issues, like consumer complaints, arise.

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Oversees truthful advertising for supplements, but with social media, keeping up is harder. Influencers often make unproven health claims, making it challenging to regulate ads effectively.

While these regulations provide some oversight, they are not as strict as those for pharmaceuticals. Supplements don’t have to prove they work before being sold. Experts call for stricter rules, including a more thorough review process before supplements hit the market. At the same time, health industry proponents and voters favor fewer regulations as the government has historically favored the pharmaceutical industries. 

This is where you–the consumer–come in. It’s really up to you to do your research and make informed decisions when purchasing supplements. Taking an active role in protecting your health is the best way to avoid counterfeit or unsafe products and get what you pay for. Keep reading to learn how to spot the fakes. 

How to Spot Fake Supplements

When it comes to supplements, knowledge is your best defense. Spotting counterfeit products can save you from potential health risks and wasted money. In this section, we’ll walk you through key signs that can help you identify fake supplements and make smarter, safer choices when shopping for health products.

Be especially cautious if a supplement is listed on a free-selling platform, not directly by the manufacturer, and is offered at a significant discount. These can often be red flags for counterfeit or compromised products.

You can find the supplements already identified as fraudulent in the FDA Health Fraud Product Database. 

Examine the Packaging

Step one in spotting fake supplements is taking a closer look at the packaging. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:

Packaging can tell you a lot about a supplement’s authenticity. High-quality supplements typically feature professional design, clear text, and careful attention to detail. If the text is hard to read, poorly formatted, or has noticeable spelling or grammatical errors, this could signal that the product is counterfeit. 

For instance, NOW’s report highlighted the absence of their signature purple top on counterfeit supplements. Similarly, Fungi Perfecti noticed a misspelling of the word “multi” and irregular packaging in black plastic.

Look for missing or inaccurate details on the label. Established brands are transparent with consumers, providing:

• A comprehensive list of ingredients
• Manufacturing information
• A clearly marked expiration date

Legitimate supplements also include clearly legible lot numbers and expiration dates in a standardized format. We’ve noticed that many products fraudulently sold under the BIOptimizers brand lack lot numbers, or the expiration dates are in a strange format. 

Another key feature of authentic supplements is tamper-evident seals. If the seal is broken, missing, or appears altered in any way, it could indicate that the product is not genuine. Counterfeit supplements are often packaged without these important safety features.

Lastly, check for regulatory compliance. Legitimate supplements may reference adherence to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and may carry additional certifications such as Non-GMO or Organic. Counterfeit products often fail to include these vital details.

It’s important to note that bottle labels are very precious real estate and are FDA-regulated (sort of), so they may not always include the cGMP seals. General legal disclaimers along the lines of “these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA,” should be there because it’s legally required.

Check for barcodes 

By scanning the barcode, you can cross-check the product with a legitimate database to confirm the brand and product details. Authentic products will have barcodes that match information in official retail systems.

Counterfeit supplements may share the same barcode across multiple fake products, which you can spot by comparing. Genuine supplements typically have unique barcodes tied to a specific product.

Look at the ingredients

When examining a supplement, always look closely at the ingredients listed on the label. The FDA mandates that dietary supplements clearly display certain information to ensure transparency and consumer safety.

The label must include:

• A Supplement Facts panel, which outlines the active ingredients and their amounts
• A list of inactive ingredients, which may include fillers, binders, or other non-active substances

If any of these key details are missing or unclear, it’s a major red flag. In such cases, it’s best to avoid purchasing the supplement, as incomplete labeling could indicate the product is counterfeit or unsafe.

Consider the Price

Fraudulent sellers often attract buyers by offering supplements at significantly lower prices than reputable brands. While it might be tempting to buy a bargain, remember the saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” 

Many counterfeit supplements are sold at a fraction of the cost of genuine supplements because they contain cheaper, lower-quality ingredients or even harmful substances. By underpricing the product, scammers can bypass quality standards, packaging costs, and legitimate regulatory processes, making the offer seem more appealing. 

Research the Brand

Before purchasing a supplement, research the brand. Reputable brands typically have a strong presence in the industry, years of experience, and a commitment to quality. Longevity is a key indicator—brands that have been around for several years or more are less likely to be involved in fraudulent activities. 

Look for customer reviews and testimonials from reliable sources. A trustworthy brand will have a consistent history of positive feedback from users who have benefited from the product. Be cautious of brands with few to no reviews or overwhelming negative comments. 

Checking the brand’s website for transparency, including its manufacturing practices, certifications, and commitment to quality, can also provide insight into its legitimacy. If a brand is unwilling to provide this information or seems unprofessional, it’s a red flag.

Inspect the Supplement  

Once you’ve reviewed the packaging and label, it’s important to inspect the supplement itself for any signs that it may be counterfeit. Here are a few key things to look for:

1. Color and Shape Consistency: Authentic supplements will have consistent color, shape, and texture. If the pills or capsules look off in size, shape, or color compared to what’s advertised, it could be a sign of a fake. 

2. Texture and Coating: Genuine supplements often have a smooth, even coating or a specific texture, while counterfeit versions may feel grainy, sticky, or poorly formed. Check for any unusual residue or clumping that might indicate low-quality ingredients or poor manufacturing.

3. Smell and Taste: Authentic supplements typically have little to no odor or a mild scent that matches the ingredients. A strong, chemical, or unusual smell could indicate that it contains unlisted or harmful substances.

Why Choose BIOptimizers for Authentic Supplements

When it comes to ensuring quality and authenticity, BIOptimizers sets the bar high. All of our supplements are manufactured in GMP-certified facilities, adhering to stringent guidelines designed to guarantee:

• Purity
• Potency
• Safety

Each product undergoes rigorous testing at various stages of production, ensuring you receive supplements you can trust. 

Our products are now available in nearly 1,000 U.S. retail stores, including Sprouts Farmers Market. To earn a place on retail shelves, we’ve provided extensive verification of our GMP compliance and quality standards to our retail partners. This means our supplements meet the high standards required for retail acceptance, giving you even more confidence in their authenticity and efficacy.

We also stand by the quality of our products with a 365-day Money-Back Guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied, return any remaining unopened bottles within a year for a full refund. This guarantee underscores our confidence in delivering the best supplements available.

Whether you purchase directly from our website, our official Amazon store, or a trusted retail location, you can rest assured that BIOptimizers supplements are genuine, high-quality, and formulated to support your health.

We are aware that there may be counterfeit products listed under our brands. It is a violation of intellectual property and undermines our hard work to create the highest quality products. When in doubt, you can contact us to confirm if the vendor is genuine. 

Where to Buy BIOptimizers Products

In the U.S., you can find our products through these main channels:

• Directly from our website 
• Through our official Amazon store – Look for “Sold by BiOptimizers” 

• On online health and wellness retailers iHerb.com and Vitacost.com

We’re also excited to offer our supplements in retail locations nationwide, including Sprouts Supermarket. Click here to find a store near you. 

If you’re purchasing from outside the U.S., we’ve got you covered, too. Check out the table below to find authorized distributors and websites in your country, ensuring you get authentic BIOptimizers products:

Country	Company	Authorized Website
Australia	OptimOZ Pty Ltd	optimoz.com.au
Canada	Raw Elements	rawelements.ca
Czech Republic	Nuzboz	pravebio.cz
Estonia	LiveHelfi	livehelfi.com
Finland	LiveHelfi	livehelfi.com
Iceland	Gudfinna Halldorsdottir	heilsubarinn.is
Netherlands	LiveHelfi	livehelfi.com
Norway	Superstate.me	superstate.no
Puerto Rico	Sanovit LLC	sano-vit.com
U.A.E	Blindspot Health, FZCO	bhealth.shop
U.K.	Vipertech Ltd	bioptimizers.co.uk / bioptimizers.eu

What to Do if You’ve Purchased a Counterfeit Supplement

Realizing you’ve purchased a counterfeit supplement can be alarming, but taking the right steps can help protect your health and prevent further issues. Here’s what to do:

Stop Using It

If you suspect a supplement is counterfeit, stop using it immediately. Continuing to take it could expose you to harmful or untested ingredients.

Request a Refund 

Contact the seller or retailer where you purchased the product to request a refund. Many reputable platforms, like Amazon, offer protection against counterfeit goods and may issue refunds in such cases.

Contact the Company’s Customer Service

Start by reaching out to the supplement brand’s customer service team. This allows them to investigate and address the issue directly, especially in cases involving adverse events. Reputable companies take counterfeit claims seriously and often have procedures in place to resolve such matters.

If the product in question appears to be from BIOptimizers, contact our customer service at 1-800-719-2467 or [email protected].

Report It to the FTC

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigates counterfeit goods sold in the U.S. Reporting the incident helps them track fraudulent sellers and take action to protect other consumers. Visit the FTC’s website to file a report.

In the Case of Adverse Events, Report It to the FDA

If the counterfeit supplement caused any adverse effects, report them to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through their MedWatch program. Providing detailed information about the product and its effects can help the FDA take action and issue warnings to the public if necessary.

Conclusion

Counterfeit supplements are a growing issue, but you can protect yourself by staying informed and making smart choices. By checking packaging, scanning barcodes, and reviewing ingredients, you’ll be better equipped to spot fakes and ensure you get the quality products you deserve.

At BIOptimizers, we prioritize your health and peace of mind. Our products are rigorously tested for purity, potency, and safety, and we’re committed to transparency every step of the way. With BIOptimizers, you can trust that you’re choosing high-quality, genuine supplements designed to support your wellness goals.

Remember, your health is important, and it’s worth taking a little extra time to ensure the supplements you buy are the real deal. Stay informed, stay safe, and choose wisely!