Check your labels for these ingredients

Do you take a vitamin tablet, or are you thinking of doing so? Whether it’s a multivitamin, magnesium, turmeric, beauty or immunity formula, or any other supplement, there’s a high chance they will include ingredients you wouldn't choose to ingest if you knew about them. In our latest daily multi-vitamin survey, we found that 4 in 10 people don't know how to check the label, what to look out for, or which ingredients contain nasty additives*. 

Here are 5 of the most common nasty additives in supplements you may not be aware of. These additives aren't just in cheaper supplements - they're in some of the most expensive brands sold on the high street and online, and they shouldn't be. DR.VEGAN's premium range of supplements, using highest quality and most absorbable ingredients, contain ZERO additives.

You may also be interested in learning all about the hidden shocking animal ingredients involved in many supplements. Discover how to verify if a product is safe to use for a professional athlete.

5 common nasty additives

Gelatin

Gelatin is a protein procured by boiling animal skin, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and/or bones in water. It’s usually obtained from cows, pigs, or fish. Learn more about gelatin.

Gelatin is used as a binder in some high street supplements and is not at all vegan. However, there is a product called “agar agar” that works like gelatin but is vegan. Agar agar is derived from a type of seaweed and is better for the environment.

Titanium Dioxide

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) list Titanium Dioxide as a Group 2B carcinogen and, in May 2021, the European Food Safety Authority announced that Titanium Dioxide can no longer be considered safe when used as a food additive.

Titanium Dioxide (Ti02) in vitamins and supplements is common practice due to its colouring agent properties to enhance their white colour. It’s used in some of the biggest vitamin brands made in the USA and UK, including many of the most expensive brands sold on the high street and online. Check your label for it. For example, did you know, the brand that claims to be the UK's #1 vitamin brand, sold in chemists and supermarkets worldwide, includes Titanium Dioxide in their pregnancy and many other formulas?

As well as being considered unsafe by the IARC and EFSA, Titanium Dioxide is a natural stimulant of free radicals which cause damage to your body's cells, proteins and DNA. France banned sales of food products containing Titanium Dioxide (E171) in 2020.

Titanium dioxide in vegan food is also common due to its food colour properties. For example coffee creamer, sweets and cake decorations. Titanium Dioxide was given the classification by the IARC after some animal studies found inhaling Titanium Dioxide may cause the development of lung tumours, and studies into its effect continue. Some studies also show intestinal absorption of Titanium Dioxide can cause oxidative stress.

It is also one of the most common pigments used in household paints, coatings and plastics due to its powerful whitening qualities. Food packaging can also contain Titanium Dioxide to help preserve the shelf life of food products, and some lipsticks, sunscreens, toothpastes and skin creams also use it.

Talc in vitamins

Type ‘talcum powder’ into Google and the first results are all about the potential harmful effects on humans. Talc is extensively used in tablet supplements as an anti-caking agent, preventing ingredients clumping and sticking in machinery when forming tablets.

Talc is a soft, naturally occurring mineral also used in baby powders, makeup, deodorant, ceramics, and paint.

Is Talc in vitamins safe?

Asbestos can naturally occur with talc and over the last ten years there have been numerous class action lawsuits brought against consumer products in the US. There is 'non-asbestos talc' which is the form used in consumer products however, while it is clear that talc containing asbestos is dangerous to humans, there are ongoing studies into 'non-asbestos talc' and potential harmful effects.

Magnesium Stearate

Magnesium Stearate is recognised as safe to consume, however if you ingest too much it can have a laxative effect by irritating the mucosal lining of your bowels, causing your bowels to spasm and triggering bowel movement or diarrhoea.

Magnesium is a very important mineral for your body (in particular your muscles) and your psychological wellbeing and can be gained through your diet, and supplements in Citrate or Glycinate form.

Magnesium Stearate however provides no nutritional benefit. Yet it is extensively used in the manufacture of tablet supplements as a lubricant, binder and thickener, as well as an anti-caking agent. While it can be derived from plant-based sources, including palm oil, coconut and vegetable oil, it is most commonly sourced from animals.

Palm Oil

Palm oil production is one of the biggest drivers of deforestation of the world’s most biodiverse forests, affecting climate-change and threatening the habitats of rare species including the orangutang, elephants and rhinos.

Palm oil is also a common ingredient in every-day goods, from lipstick to biofuel, shampoo and yes, vitamins and supplements. Its primary use in the manufacture of vitamins is as a food stabiliser, increasing the shelf life of the tablets in your cupboard. 

‘Palm Oil’ (from the palm fruit) and ‘Palm Kernel Oil’ (from the palm seed) are high in saturated fats which are high in cholesterol and can increase risk of heart disease.

In 2014, EU law changed so that all products have to state specifically if they contain palm oil so consumers can make a choice. Many cosmetic companies have taken steps to remove palm oil from their products but the shift has been much slower within supplements.

How do I check the label?

On the back of your vitamins you'll see a 'Nutrition' table and next to it a list of 'Ingredients'. Read the list of ingredients, often written as a paragraph and in small font. Many ingredients can't be added to the nutrition table because they don't provide any nutritional benefit.

We believe that bettering ourselves and our planet go hand in hand. Our mission is to bring clarity and ethics to supplements, so all our products are only in capsules using naturally sourced and plant-based ingredients, and contain NO nasty additives or animal ingredients. You can learn about hidden animal ingredients in supplements and foods on our nutrition blog.

Discover our range of vegan vitamins and supplements. 

*Based on a UK survey conducted by DR.VEGAN^® of 130 customers, nationally representative, during September 2023. All customer survey findings reflect our own efforts and have not been influenced or verified by any external organisations or third-party entities.

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References:

NCBI – Titanium Dioxide – is it safe?

Perineal Talc Use and Ovarian Cancer – A Critical Review

Safety Assessment of Talc as used in Cosmetics

Healthline: Titanium Dioxide in Food

WWF: 8 things to know about palm oil.