Metals in supplements survey published

Thursday 15 December 2005

A survey of metals in food supplements is published today by the Agency.

Out of the 200 supplements surveyed, levels of most metals tested for were within safety guidelines. But eight products were found to contain amounts of iron, manganese or zinc above levels recommended by experts. Excessive doses of these could be harmful to some people.

Metals can be included deliberately as nutrients in food supplements, but others such as arsenic and cadmium can be present as a result of environmental pollution.

The food supplements were purchased from a variety of supermarkets, pharmacies and health stores across the UK, as well as from mail order and internet companies, including those overseas. The survey measured levels of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, thallium and zinc.

There is currently no legislation in place controlling the maximum levels of nutrients in food supplements although the Food Supplements Directive will allow for maximum levels to be set in the future.

The Agency has met with industry to agree a series of advisory statements for high dose products. These statements will protect consumers by alerting them to the potential for harmful effects and enable them to make informed choices about products they wish to buy.

Sampling for this survey was undertaken soon after advisory statements were agreed in 2004 and therefore not all products carried these labels. The Agency will be conducting a survey early next year to establish the extent to which advisory statements are being used by the supplements industry.