State Lab: About One in Eight Food Samples Fails - Dietary Supplement Safety: Landeslabor Berlin-Brandenburg Finds Defects in Half of Samples
The Landeslabor Berlin-Brandenburg has released its 2024 report, revealing a high rate of defects in dietary supplements. The lab, which also tests pharmaceuticals, tobacco, and other products, found issues in nearly half of the supplements it examined.
Out of 399 dietary supplement samples tested, approximately 50% showed defects. These included labeling defects, unauthorized health claims, and incorrect ingredient content. Only one sample was deemed potentially harmful. The lab found that online trading samples often contained undeclared substances, posing another food safety concern.
The Landeslabor examined around 27,570 food samples in total, with only 0.2% found harmful to health and nearly 1% not suitable for consumption. Defects in labeling and packaging made up the largest share of the defects found. Citizens can indirectly submit samples for testing via food monitoring authorities.
The 2024 report highlights the need for stricter regulations and better enforcement in the dietary supplement industry. The Landeslabor will continue to test samples based on known or suspected risks, ensuring the safety of consumers in Berlin and Brandenburg.
