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Product Review

L-Theanine Supplements Review

Touted for Stress Relief, Do L-Theanine Supplements Work?

Product Review

Water Filter Pitchers Review

See the Best Pitchers For Different Filtering Needs

CL Answer

Which is the best mask to prevent COVID-19 and how do cloth, disposable, N95, and KN95 masks compare? How can I stop glasses from fogging?

See our Top Picks for masks. Learn how to make COVID-19 masks from materials at home that can be almost as effective as surgical mask and N-95 masks.

Four masks shown for comparison

CL Answer

Is Bottled Water Better Than Tap Water?

Some people consider bottled water to be a favorable alternative to tap water, but is it really better? Find out how bottled water and tap water compare in terms of taste, mineral content, acidity, and contaminants such as microplastics and PFAS.

Woman holding glass of water next to bottle of water

CL Answer

How do over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids compare to prescription hearing aids?

Non-prescription hearing aid reviews, including MD Hearing Aid, Eargo Hearing Aid, Liberty Hearing Aid, etc. Compare quality & cost with prescription hearing aids.

OTC hearing aids

CL Answer

Where to Safely Buy Real Water Filters Online, Not Fakes or Counterfeits

ConsumerLab explains how to avoid counterfeit water filters when shopping online on Amazon, Walmart.com, and other sites. Learn to identify authorized sites and sellers and avoid fake filters. Use the brand-by-brand guide to protect yourself from risk.

Counterfeit Water Filters

CL Answer

Are fruit and vegetable “washes” or devices more effective than water for cleaning produce and removing pesticides? Are they safe?

Fruit and veggie washes, vinegar, and baking soda, as well as devices that use electrolysis, ozone water, or ultrasonic cleaning, are often promoted for removing dirt, bacteria and pesticides from produce. Find out if any work better than rinsing with water and if they are safe.

Fruits 3

CL Answer

Can lemon juice, lemonade, or other juices reduce my chances of getting kidney stones?

Information about lemon juice, lemonade, orange juice, cranberry juice and other juices for increasing urinary citrate and reducing the risk of kidney stones.

Lemon juice for kidney stones? -- glass of lemon juice and lemons

Clinical Update

6/21/2024

Olive Oil "Not Fit for Consumption"

Some extra virgin olive oils were considered "lampante" (not fit for human consumption) by our taste tester. A CL member asked if these pose a health risk. No, they don't, but for more about what it means, see the Quality Concerns section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, which includes defects found and our Top Picks.

Clinical Update

7/11/2024

OTC Hearing Aids

Hearing aids can be purchased over the counter and self-fitted, but are users as satisfied as people fitted by an audiologist? See what a recent study showed after eight months of use in our article about OTC hearing aids.

Clinical Update

1/21/2022

CDC Mask Guidelines

Be aware that, this week, the CDC advised that properly fitted N95 and KN95 respirators provide the highest level of protection against COVID. So it’s best to use these masks in place of cloth masks. It was also announced that N95s will soon be made available at no charge at community centers and retail pharmacies across the U.S. Get the details.

Clinical Update

4/18/2023

OTC Hearing Aid

Can an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid (Lexie) work as well as one fitted by an audiologist? Find out what a recent study showed in our CL Answer about OTC hearing aids.

Also see our comparison table for information about the pros and cons of prescription vs. OTC hearing aids.

Clinical Update

3/31/2023

Olive Oil Review Expanded: Many Do Not Make the Grade

We tested three new olive oils based on reader requests, and the results are in! Our new tests included two olive oils that claim to be high in polyphenols, and the results were surprising:

-- One olive oil was rated so poorly by our professional taster it was considered to be "lampante" -- i.e., not fit for human consumption.

-- The other high-polyphenol oil delivered a good amount of polyphenols, rated well for taste, and is now our new Top Pick for a very high-polyphenol olive oil.

We also tested California Olive Ranch Global Blend but were somewhat disappointed.

See the results now for 13 popular olive oils in our updated Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review.

News Release

March 09, 2023

L-Theanine Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab. Top Pick Chosen.

White Plains, New York, March 9, 2023 —L-theanine supplements are often promoted to reduce stress and improve sleep and cognition.

News Release

March 31, 2009

ConsumerLab.com Warns of Problems with Multivitamins and Vitamin Water -- Defects Found in Over 30% of Supplements Selected for Testing; Several Popular Children's Multis Exceed Tolerable Upper Intake Levels

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — MARCH 31, 2009 — Over 30% of multivitamins recently selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com were found to contain significantly more or less ingredient than claimed or were contaminated with lead.

News Release

February 06, 2008

Consumers warned of lead in some turmeric supplements — Highest lead level ever reported by ConsumerLab.com; Lack of active compound also a problem

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — FEBRUARY 6, 2008 — Turmeric supplements have become popular in recent years but ConsumerLab.com warned today that some products contain high amounts of lead. Recent tests found a popular brand to contain 18.

Recalls & Warnings

November 03, 2022

Seller of CBD Warned for COVID-19 Claims

On November 1, 2022, the FDA issued a warning letter to Alternative Health Distribution LLC (d/b/a CannaAid) following a review of the company’s website, which found statements about the company’s cannabidiol (CBD) products to be drug claims.

Recalls & Warnings

October 02, 2020

Tonic Therapeutic Herb Shop & Elixir Bar Warned for COVID-19 Claims

On September 29, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to Tonic Therapeutic Herb Shop & Elixir Bar for selling various herbal products, including Tonic Therapeutic Herb Shop & Elixir Bar, with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).

Recalls & Warnings

November 27, 2017

Protein Bars Recalled After Consumer Finds Piece of Plastic in Bar

On November 23, 2017, Leclerc Foods recalled one lot of Fit & Active Chocolatey Chip Protein Meal Bars distributed to ALDI stores, as a precautionary measure after a small piece of yellow plastic was discovered by a consumer.

Recalls & Warnings

November 01, 2016

Eleven Weight Loss Supplements Contain Undeclared Drugs, FDA Warns

The FDA warned consumers not to buy or use the weight loss supplements listed below because they were found to contain undeclared drugs:

Recalls & Warnings

January 29, 2019

Prescription Drugs Found in Four Weight Loss Supplements

On January 28, 2019, the FDA the FDA warned consumers not to buy or use the following weight loss supplements because they were found to contain sibutramine and/or phenolphthalein:

Recalls & Warnings

September 19, 2018

Seller of Curcumin, Garcinia, Glucosamine and More Warned for Manufacturing Violations

On September 7, 2018, the FDA issued a warning letter to Best Nutrition Products, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

December 20, 2017

Seller of Supplements for Pain and Allergies Warned for Manufacturing Violations, Drug Claims

On December 13, 2017, the FDA issued a warning letter to GnuPharma Corporation, following a facility inspection which found a number of the company's products, including Relief capsules, Foundation capsules, Aller-geez capsules, Fit capsules, Aller-Geez Tea, Foundation herbal tea and ...

Recalls & Warnings

November 21, 2015

Ultimate Herbal Slimcaps Recalled

On November 19, 2015 Fit Firm and Fabulous issued a voluntary recall certain lots of weight loss supplement Ultimate Herbal Slimcap capsules because they were found to contain sibutramine.

Recalls & Warnings

April 11, 2014

Two Weight Loss Supplements Found to Contain Drug

On April 10, 2014, the FDA warned consumers not to buy or use the weight loss supplements listed below because they were found to contain sibutramine.

Recalls & Warnings

January 30, 2014

Four Weight Loss Supplements Found To Contain Drugs

On January 28, 2014, the FDA warned consumers not to buy or use the four weight loss supplements listed below because they were found to contain sibutramine or phenolphthalein.

Recalls & Warnings

November 27, 2011

FDA Seeks Permanent Injunction Against Dietary Supplement Maker -- 400+ Products Affected

On November 23, 2011, the U.S. FDA took legal action against a dietary supplement maker and owner for substituting ingredients and products without noting the changes on the final product labels. The permanent injunction, filed on behalf of the FDA by the U.S.