Buying Supplements on Amazon Warning

[Mij]

If you buy supplements off of Amazon, you need to read this:
https://twitter.com/user/status/1927387176360137182


One of the biggest problems Amazon has is counterfeit products, specifically supplements. Increased reports of fake vitamins, protein powders, and other health products being sold on the platform have surged in recent years.
https://twitter.com/user/status/1927387184803278864

 

[Mij]

Why is this happening? A major culprit is Amazon's commingled inventory system.

This means products from different sellers, whether they be authentic or not, are pooled together in the same bins at Amazon warehouses.
https://twitter.com/user/status/1927387194030690718

 

[Mij]

The best way to get around this? Buy direct from the seller.

Until Amazon fully addresses the risk of commingled inventory counterfeit supplements will always remain a threat. Also, always check for third-party testing and be wary of deals that seem to be too good to be true.

 

[Holinger]

Sadly on Amazon and eBay fake car parts that look identical are sold as factory parts. The worrying thing is that there is not really any tighter restrictions for supplements for human consumption.

 

[rvallee]

I'll never understand the resistance to having even modest regulations for supplements. They don't have to be nearly as strong as those for pharmaceuticals, but the complete refusal to do anything is so bizarre. Even just basic food standards would be enough.

 

[Kitty]

I'll never understand the willingness to buy things from Amazon. They've been complicit in counterfeiting for 20 years, and they've effectively been putting digital spies in people's homes for at least 10.

 

[Murph]

This is a good warning. I've taken to buying some of my more expensive supplements from Aliexpress, which is even riskier! (Ubiquinol is sooo expensive!) I should probably stop doing that.

 

[Trish]

I buy from Amazon on the grounds that I don't like having to find out whether I have the legit site for other suppliers and am scared of hitting on a fake site that steals my money. And it's convenient. I agree they sell a lot of junk, but choose to take the risk on that. I tend to buy supplements from the supermarket but have bought some from Amazon.

 

[Mij]

I only buy Canadian made supplements from Amazon but who knows. I'll switch to buying from legitimate Canadian websites from now on even if I pay a little more.

 

[Mij]

In the meantime I'll continue taking the huge 330 capsule bottle of magnesium that I just purchased from Amazon 2 weeks ago b/c I don't want to throw it out.