Energy, Vitamin B Products Examined by ConsumerLab

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.As consumers seek to bolster their energy levels, theyre turning to dietary supplements and energy shots" with ingredients including B vitamins and caffeine. ConsumerLab.com recently tested B vitamin supplements and shot-sized" energy products; out of 18 products selected for review, four had quality issues. One product was significantly short on vitamin B12; another had no B6 and did not meet label claims for biotin and folic acid; and two energy products contained less folic acid than reported. The two energy shots" also contained amounts of niacin, B6 and folic acid that, if a person consumed three to four shots" per day, could exceed the upper tolerable intake levels.

ConsumerLab includes the names of companies involved in the reviews in its general news releases, but doesnt indicate which ones passed or failed testing, nor the levels of active ingredients in the products. However, the reports with complete findings are available for purchase from ConsumerLab.

The report on B vitamin and energy supplements provides findings for 18 supplements randomly selected for testing, as well as five additional products that passed the same testing under ConsumerLab.coms Voluntary Certification Program, whereby companies can pay to have their products tested by ConsumerLab. Two brands similar to products that passed testing but are sold under different brand names are also identified. The report also includes information about the health effects of the different B vitamins, recommended intakes and possible drug interactions.