Reviews and Information for Essentials
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Product Review
Whole, Ground, Milled, and Cracker Flaxseed Review
High Levels of Cadmium Found in Flaxseed Products — Testing Expanded
CL Answer
What is Marine-D3 with Seanol-P, and does it live up to anti-aging claims?
Learn about the evidence for Marine-D3, a supplement from Marine Essentials that contains Seanol, including evidence from clinical studies on aging.
Product Review
Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils Review
Oils Tested for Authenticity and Purity
Product Review
Weight Loss Supplements Review (7-Keto DHEA, Forskolin and Stimulant Blend Supplements)
Choose the Best Weight Loss Supplement. Be Careful With Weight Loss Supplements — Few Pass Quality Testing and Safety Review.
Product Review
Olive Leaf Extract Supplements Review
Learn What Olive Leaf Does and the Best Brands
CL Answer
Which ingredients should toothpastes and other dental products contain, and which should be avoided?
Learn about ingredients you want in your toothpaste, mouthwash and other dental products and which ingredients you may want to avoid.
Recalls & Warnings
February 09, 2022
FDA Warns Seller of Colloidal Silver Eye Drops, Copper Products & More
On February 1, 2022, the FDA issued a warning letter to New Earth Healing Essentials, LLC d/b/a 5D Full Disclosure following a review of the company’s website, which found statements made about some of the company's products, including Plasma Colloidal Silver Eyedrops, Gaia’s ...
CL Answer
Which deodorants and antiperspirants are contaminated with benzene and which are not?
Benzene, a carcinogen, has been detected in over 40 spray deodorants, antiperspirants, and body sprays. Tests were conducted on brands including Axe, Bath & Body Works, Brut, Degree, Dove, Gold Bond, Right Guard, Secret, Speed Stick, Suave, Old Spice, Victoria's Secret and others. Find out which products contained benzene, and how much they contained.
Recalls & Warnings
April 03, 2020
FDA Warns Pure Plant Essentials for Essential Oil Coronavirus Claims
On April 1, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to Health Mastery Systems DBA Pure Plant Essentials for selling products with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).
CL Answer
What are "broad-spectrum micronutrient" supplements, and do they have greater health benefits than multivitamin/multimineral supplements?
Learn about "broad-spectrum micronutrients" and how they compare to multivitamin/multimineral supplements.
News Release
March 28, 2023
Expanded Flaxseed Testing by ConsumerLab Reveals More Cadmium Contamination – Several Quality Products Also Identified
White Plains, New York, March 28, 2023 — Due to concerning levels of cadmium ConsumerLab discovered in its tests of flaxseed products in January 2023, ConsumerLab recently purchased and tested seven additional whole and ground flaxseed products.
News Release
January 12, 2023
High Levels of Cadmium Found In Whole and Ground Flaxseed In ConsumerLab Tests
White Plains, New York, January 12, 2023 — Recent ConsumerLab tests revealed concerning levels of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, in several popular flaxseed products which, otherwise, provided the listed amounts of healthy fats, fiber, and protein without microbial contamination.
News Release
August 10, 2022
Best Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils Identified by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, August 10, 2022 — Lavender essential oil as aromatherapy may reduce anxiety and tea tree essential oil is used topically for various skin ailments.
News Release
October 02, 2018
Best Joint Health Supplements Identified -- ConsumerLab Tests Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia Supplements for People and Pets
White Plains, New York, October 2, 2018 — Do joint health supplements with ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellia, and MSM really relieve joint pain or slow the progression of osteoarthritis? If so, which products are best? To find out, ConsumerLab recently tested popular ...
News Release
September 13, 2016
Best Fish Oil? ConsumerLab.com Tests 44 Popular Omega-3 Supplements and Identifies Its Top Picks
White Plains, New York, September 13, 2016 — Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing EPA and DHA are among the most popular supplements, and clinical studies suggest a wide range of potential benefits, from improving mental health to treating inflammatory disease.
News Release
June 03, 2016
What Works for Joint Health? ConsumerLab.com Reviews Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia Supplements for People and Pets
White Plains, New York, June 3, 2016 — Do popular joint health supplements with ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellia, and MSM really work to relieve pain or slow the progression of osteoarthritis? And, with so many to choose from, which supplements are best? To find out, ...
News Release
January 12, 2016
Problems Found with 32% of Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplements -- ConsumerLab.com Identifies Good Choices for Men, Women, and Children
White Plains, New York, January 12, 2016 — You can't always judge a supplement by its label -- or by its price, according to a new report from ConsumerLab.com, which recently tested dozens of multivitamin/multimineral supplements.
Recalls & Warnings
April 03, 2020
Gaia's Whole Healing Essentials Warned for Colloidal Silver Coronavirus Claims
On April 1, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to Gaia's Whole Healing Essentials, LLC, for selling products with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).
News Release
May 07, 2014
Flaxseed and Other Popular Seed Oil Supplements Tested by ConsumerLab.com, But Not All Brands Pass -- Flaxseed, Black Currant, Borage and Evening Primrose Oils Reviewed
White Plains, New York, May 7, 2014 — Plant seed oils are popular supplements that provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but which products offer the best value and quality? Recent analyses by ConsumerLab.
Recalls & Warnings
October 01, 2019
Lead and Arsenic Found in Multi Mineral & Vitamin Supplement
On September 30, 2019, Cellect Products Inc. and Oglethorpe Ltd. issued a recall of one lot of Cellect®, Essentials Factor® Multi Mineral & Vitamin Supplement Unflavored Powder Mix because it was found to contain unsafe levels of lead and arsenic.
Recalls & Warnings
October 11, 2013
Prebiotic and Digestive Enzyme Supplement Recalled Due To Drug Risk
On October 10, 2013, Adeeva Nutritionals Inc. issued a voluntary recall of digestive supplement Flora Essentials due to potential contamination with the prescription antibiotic chloramphenicol.
Recalls & Warnings
November 18, 2003
Supplement Promoted As Cancer Treatment Removed from Market
On November 10, 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that NBTY, Inc., of Bohemia, N.Y.
News Release
April 09, 2014
Best Fish Oil? ConsumerLab.com Testing Finds Many High Quality Supplements, But Pitfalls Exist
White Plains, New York, August 10, 2014 — Recent laboratory tests of fish oil, krill oil, algal oil, calamari oil, and green-lipped mussel oil supplements by ConsumerLab.com revealed quality problems with four out of 30 supplements selected for review.
News Release
August 22, 2012
Contamination and Other Problems Found in Fish Oil Supplements -- Large Review by ConsumerLab.com Reveals Excessive PCBs or Mislabeling in Over 30% of Omega-3 Supplements
August 22, 2012 — The quality of fish oil / omega-3 supplements varies across brands, according to recent tests by ConsumerLab.com, which independently reports on the quality of health products. Analyses of 35 products selected and purchased by ConsumerLab.
News Release
May 30, 2012
ConsumerLab.com Identifies Best and Worst Magnesium Supplements Based on Tests and Comparisons
White Plains, New York — MAY 30, 2012 — Magnesium supplements are among the most popular supplements in the U.S. But which magnesium supplements are best? ConsumerLab.
News Release
March 12, 2012
Review of vitamin C supplements by ConsumerLab.com finds many of high quality but a wide range in prices
White Plains, New York — March 8, 2012 — Vitamin C may boost the immune system and is critical for maintaining healthy connective tissue, but do you need to take a supplement and, if so, how do you find one that is right for you and at the best price? ConsumerLab.
Recalls & Warnings
November 21, 2012
Distributor Warns of Counterfeit Liquid Energy Shots
On November 19, 2012, Living Essentials LLC announced the company discovered and halted the production of counterfeit versions of 5-hour ENERGY® liquid energy shots. The company filed suits against the counterfeiters in U.S.
Recalls & Warnings
February 09, 2011
Allergy Alert Issued for "Essentials" and "RightFoods" Brand Products
On February 7, 2011, BioSan Laboratories issued a voluntary recall (posted on the FDA website) for its products sold under the Essentials and RightFoods brands, as well as the Therapeutix Cardio Strength and Innate Cardio Response brands. These products may contain undeclared soy flour.
News Release
November 29, 2011
ConsumerLab.com identifies many quality melatonin sleep supplements, but prices range from 4 cents to over $1 for the same dose
White Plains, New York — November 29th, 2011 — Can melatonin help you sleep? "Melatonin supplements may help some people get to sleep sooner, particularly those with chronic sleeping problems, but don't just buy any supplement - they vary significantly in strength, dosage, and cost," ...
News Release
June 16, 2011
ConsumerLab.com puts multivitamins to the test
June 16, 2011, New York, NY — Laboratory test results of 60 multivitamins have shown that you can't always judge a supplement by its label—or by its price. "Consumers should know that multivitamins vary widely in quality, "says Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com.
News Release
April 26, 2011
Problems discovered with eight vitamin D supplements in study by ConsumerLab.com -- Incorrect amounts of vitamins, lead contamination, and labeling infractions identified.
White Plains, New York — April 26, 2010 — Among 28 vitamin D supplements recently selected for independent testing, problems were found with 8 products, 29% of those reviewed, according to ConsumerLab.com.
News Release
February 16, 2011
Some turmeric and curcumin supplements fail quality review -- ConsumerLab.com finds 20% of turmeric supplements selected for review deliver less than 15% of promised compounds
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — FEBRUARY 16, 2011 — Supplements containing the herb turmeric or its key compound, curcumin, have become popular in the U.S. ConsumerLab.com cautioned today that two out of ten turmeric products recently selected for quality testing were found to provide only 7.
News Release
January 11, 2011
Spoilage and labeling errors found with some omega-3 and -6 supplements; Review of evening primrose, flaxseed, borage, and black currant oil supplements
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — JANUARY 10, 2011 — A new report on the quality of omega-3 and -6 fatty acid supplements made from seed oils was released by ConsumerLab.com today. Only 11 of 17 products selected for testing met quality criteria for freshness and labeling.
News Release
January 13, 2009
ConsumerLab.com reports largest test of CoQ10 and ubiquinol supplements -- Most supplements provide claimed ingredient, but large variation in dosage and forms may confuse consumers. ConsumerLab.com provides guidance.
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — JANUARY 13, 2009 — A report by ConsumerLab.com on supplements containing the anti-oxidant CoQ10 shows the difficulty for consumers in determining an appropriate dosage.
News Release
October 28, 2008
Tests reveal quality problems with vitamin A supplements -- New ConsumerLab.com report focuses on vitamin A, including beta-carotene and cod liver oil
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — OCTOBER 28, 2008 — ConsumerLab.com is cautioning that the amount vitamin A in some supplements may be much higher or lower than the amount stated on labels. Among ten supplements recently selected for testing, ConsumerLab.
News Release
December 10, 2007
ConsumerLab.com finds improvement in quality of omega-3 and -6 supplements — Results for 22 products made from evening primrose, flaxseed, borage and black currant oils
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — DECEMBER 10, 2007 — A new report on the quality of omega-3 and -6 fatty acid supplements made from seed oils was released by ConsumerLab.com today. Two products were slightly low in one fatty acid, but this is an improvement over results from ConsumerLab.
News Release
March 13, 2006
ConsumerLab.com reports on supplements for bone health containing calcium and vitamin D— Results posted for 32 supplements for adults and children; One found contaminated with lead
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK — MARCH 13, 2006 — ConsumerLab.com announced test results today from its new Product Review of Supplements for Bone Health covering 32 adult and children's products containing calcium and vitamin D. Sales of calcium supplements in the U.S.
News Release
July 12, 2005
ConsumerLab.com finds some supplements lower in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids than claimed — Report available for 23 products made from oils of black currant, borage, evening primrose and flax
WHITE PLAINS, NY — July 12, 2005 — ConsumerLab.com has released its latest report on the quality of supplements made from the seed oils of black currant, borage, evening primrose, and flax.
Recalls & Warnings
August 10, 2020
Seller Indicted for Promoting Silver Product as Coronavirus Cure
On July 28, 2020, Utah resident Gordon Pedersen was indicted by a federal grand jury for posing as a medical doctor to sell an unapproved treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Recalls & Warnings
May 09, 2020
Federal Court Orders Seller to Stop Promoting Silver Product as Coronavirus Cure
On April 29, 2020, a federal court in Utah announced that it has obtained a temporary restraining order preventing Gordon Pedersen and his companies, My Doctor Suggests LLC and GP Silver LLC, from promoting fake treatments for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Recalls & Warnings
April 14, 2020
Herbs of Kedem Warned for Making Coronavirus Claims
On April 10, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to Herbs of Kedem for selling products with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).
Recalls & Warnings
April 11, 2020
FDA Warns Seller of Products Promoted to Treat Coronavirus in Pets and Humans
On April 7, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to Savvy Holistic Health dba Holistic Healthy Pet for selling products intended for pets and humans with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).
Recalls & Warnings
April 11, 2020
FDA Warns Sellers of CBD, Colloidal Silver & Natural Remedies Promoted to Treat Coronavirus
Between April 7 and April 9, 2020, the FDA issued warning letters to five companies for selling products such as CBD, colloidal silver, and natural treatments with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).
Recalls & Warnings
September 13, 2013
Metagenics Warned For Misbranding of Medical Foods and Drug Claims
On August 13, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to Metagenics, Inc.
Recalls & Warnings
February 27, 2018
Dog Treats, Food Recalled Due to Salmonella, Listeria Risk
The following dog treats and dog food are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella, which can cause illness in pets who consume these products, as well as in pet owners who handle the contaminated products or touch ...
Recalls & Warnings
September 27, 2016
Seller of B Vitamins, Omega-3s and More Warned for Manufacturing Violations, Drug Claims
On September 15, 2016, the FDA issued a warning letter to Positive Power Nutrition, following a facility inspection which found the company's products, including High Energy C-Complex, Positive Vitality, Positive Performance, Positive CardioGuard, B-Complex 100, Positive Essentials, Positive ...
Recalls & Warnings
September 11, 2015
Thirteen Manufacturers Ordered to Stop Selling Devil's Claw Supplements
On September 9, 2015, the New York State Attorney General ordered 13 manufacturers, including Thorne Research Inc., NBTY, Inc. (Puritan's Pride) Inc., and Now Foods, to stop selling devil's claw supplements which were found to contain the incorrect species of the plant.
Recalls & Warnings
October 12, 2005
Supplement Company to Pay $2 Million Penalty For Alleged Violations of FTC Order
On October 12, 2005 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that under the terms of a consent decree approved by the it for submission by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to the federal court for approval, NBTY, Inc. (NBTY, formerly Nature’s Bounty, Inc.
Recalls & Warnings
June 23, 2017
FDA Warns Seller of Menopause, Sexual Enhancement, Prostate Supplements and More For Manufacturing Violations
On May 26, 2017 the FDA issued a warning letter to Star Health & Beauty LLC, following a facility inspection which found the company's products, including Nu Essentials Royal Jelly Capsules, NuMan Male Enhancement Capsules, Star's Male Potency Tonic, NuGen HP, She Max HP, and V Max ...
