Buying supplements used to mean a trip to the pharmacy or the health food store. Today, most people buy at least some of them online, from brand websites, big marketplaces, social media shops and subscription services. That convenience has a downside. Counterfeit and tampered products, expired stock and supplements spiked with hidden drugs all turn up for sale. A little know-how goes a long way toward avoiding them.
The biggest risks
Hidden drugs
The FDA regularly finds products sold as supplements that contain undeclared prescription drugs. The worst offenders are products sold for weight loss, sexual performance and muscle building. Some have contained sibutramine, a weight-loss drug pulled from the market over heart risks, or sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. The FDA keeps a searchable list of tainted products on its health fraud pages.
Counterfeits
Popular brands are copied and sold through third-party sellers, often at a discount. A fake might contain less of the ingredient, a cheaper substitute or nothing useful at all.
Old, damaged or tampered stock
Products can sit in hot warehouses, be returned and resold, or arrive past their best-by date. Heat and humidity can break down probiotics, fish oil and some vitamins. See how to store supplements.
Fake reviews
Star ratings can be bought. Our guide on how to spot fake supplement reviews shows what to look for.
Where to buy, from safest to riskiest
1. Pharmacies and large retailers
Established pharmacies and large grocery or big-box stores buy directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors. Store brands from these retailers are often made by the same contract manufacturers as name brands, and many carry a USP seal. They are usually a safe, affordable choice.
2. The brand's own website
Buying directly from the company means no middleman. Check that you are on the real site, not a look-alike. Type the address yourself rather than clicking an ad.
3. Trusted online retailers
Well-known online vitamin retailers that buy from the brands themselves are generally reliable. Look for clear return policies, real customer service contact details and fresh expiration dates.
4. Big online marketplaces
Marketplaces can be fine, but you need to check who is actually selling and shipping the product. On many sites, items listed under the same page can come from many different sellers, and products from different sellers may be stored together. To lower your risk:
- Buy from listings sold by the brand itself or by the marketplace directly.
- Be wary of third-party sellers with few ratings, or a price far below everyone else's.
- Check that the brand has an official storefront and that the seller links to it.
5. Social media shops, auction sites and too-good-to-be-true websites
This is where the riskiest products show up. Be very skeptical of products sold only through social media ads, influencer links, or websites with countdown timers and "only 3 left" warnings.
Red flags on the label or listing
- Promises to treat or prevent disease, like diabetes, cancer or COVID. Supplements are not allowed to make these claims. See how supplements are regulated.
- Words like "hardcore," "anabolic," "natural Viagra" or "rapid fat loss."
- Foreign-language-only labels on products sold in the United States.
- No lot number or expiration date.
- A price that seems too good to be true.
- "Proprietary blend" with no amounts. See proprietary blends explained.
- Testimonials instead of facts.
Check the product when it arrives
- The seal is intact, both on the cap and any inner foil.
- The label is sharp and spelled correctly. Blurry printing, typos and crooked labels are warning signs.
- The lot number and expiration date are printed, not handwritten or covered with a sticker.
- The pills look right. If capsules are a different color or size from your last bottle, or smell odd, contact the brand.
- Fish oil should not smell strongly fishy or rancid.
If something looks off, contact the brand directly with the lot number. Many companies can confirm whether a lot is genuine.
Look for an independent seal
The best single shortcut is a seal from an independent tester. USP Verified and NSF Certified mean an outside group checked that the product contains what the label says, in the right amounts, without harmful levels of contaminants. Athletes should look for NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport. Our guides explain what USP Verified means, what NSF Certified means and what "third-party tested" really means.
Be careful with seals you do not recognize. Anyone can print a badge that says "lab tested."
If something goes wrong
If you think a supplement made you sick, stop taking it and call your doctor. You can also report the problem to the FDA through its Safety Reporting Portal. Reports help the FDA spot dangerous products. If the product was a counterfeit, report it to the seller and the marketplace too.
The bottom line
Buy from pharmacies, established retailers or the brand itself when you can. On marketplaces, check who is selling. Be very skeptical of big promises, rock-bottom prices and products pushed through social media ads. Look for an independent seal, and check every bottle when it arrives. To compare prices among trusted options, see our guide on how to compare supplement prices.