CL Rates 12 Multivitamins as Unapproved

NEW YORKMultivitamin lab tests showed discrepancies between label claims and product, according to ConsumerLab.com, which examined 60 multivitamins sold in the United States and Canada, including three for pets. These results, which found one pet multi was contaminated with lead and many products contained levels of vitamins or minerals that exceed daily tolerable upper intake levels, highlights the need for supplement manufacturers to run test on finished goods before putting them on the market.

However, most (48) products earned an approved" rating from ConsumerLab.com. Of those that didnt pass ConsumerLab.coms review, eight multivitamins contained less of an ingredient than claimed, two contained more than claimed, tablets of another multivitamin failed to properly disintegrate. When  ConsumerLab.com reviewed labels, if found three supplements listed ingredients in ways that did not comply with FDA requirements.

The report also found no connection between price and quality. Many inexpensive multivitamins (ranging in price from 3 to 14 cents per day) passed every test. At the same time, several relatively expensive productssome costing more than 50 cents or even over $1.00 a day failed to pass ConsumerLab.coms review. 

Among pet supplements tested by ConsumerLab.com, one product that costs 8 cents per day was approved." Two pet supplements failed. One was contaminated with 7.45 mcg of lead per tablet. This product has been tested by ConsumerLab.com in two previous reviews, and the amount of lead has increased over the years. The other pet product contained 32-percent less vitamin A than the label claimed.  

ConsumerLab.com tested multivitamins for key nutrients, lead contamination, and proper labeling. Tablets were also checked to make sure they would break apart properly when consumed.

This year, ConsumerLab has released tests on red yeast rice, vitamin D, iron, coenzyme Q10, curcumin, and plant-based essential fatty acids (EFAs).

Products included in ConsumerLab.coms Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplement Review are:

21st Century Pet Chews, All One Active Seniors, alpha betic, Berkley & Jensen Mens Daily, Centrum Chewables, Centrum Silver, Country Life Maxi-Sorb Max for Men, CVS Pharmacy Spectravite Senior, DG health Adult Formula Complete 50+, Enfamil Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron, Equate Mature Multivitamin 50+ (Walmart), Flintstones Plus Bone Building Support, Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw One for Women, Glaceau Vitamin Water Multi-V, GNC Mens Mega Men, GNC Mens Mega Men 50 Plus, GNC Mens Mega Men Sport, GNC Womens Ultra Mega, GNC Womens Ultra Mega 50 Plus, GNC Womens Ultra Mega Active, Hero Nutritionals Yummi Bears, Jamieson Chewable Vita Vim, JuicePlus+ Garden Blend, Julian Whitaker, M.D., Forward Powder, Kirkland Signature Mature Multi Vitamins and Minerals Adult 50+ (Costco), Kroger Complete Ultra Womens Health, Life Extension Two Per Day, Melaleuca Vitality, Members Mark Mature Multi (Sams Club), Metagenics Multigenics Chewable, Mountain Home Daily Advantage, Natrol My Favorite Multiple, Natural Factors MultiFactors Womens, Nature Made Multi for Her 50+, Natures Bounty Ultra Man, Natures Plus Source of Life Childrens Chewable, Natures Way Alive!, Natures Way Alive! Once Daily Mens Ultra Potency, NOW Adam Superior Mens Multi, Nutrilite Double X, One-A-Day Mens Health Formula, One-A-Day Womens, PetGuard, Pet-Tabs Complete, Pharmanex LifePak Anti-Aging, Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950, Puritans Pride High Potency Time Release Ultra Vita Man, Rainbow Light Certified Organics Women's Multivitamin, Rite Aid Prenatal, Schiff Single Day, Shaklee Vita-Lea, Solaray Womens Golden, Solgar Formula V VM-75, Stuart Prenatal, Thorne Research Basic Prenatal, Trader Joes Vitamin Crusade High Potency, USANA Essentials Chelated Mineral, USANA Essentials Mega Antioxidant, Vitamin Shoppe Ultimate Women Gold, Vitamin World Ultra Man, Walgreens One Daily for Women, WEIL Andrew Weil M.D. Daily Multivitamin and Whole Foods Womens Food Based Multi

 Thirty-eight of these products were selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com. Twenty-two are included for having passed the same evaluation in ConsumerLab.coms Voluntary Certification Program, as are two products similar to those tested but sold under different brand names.