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ConsumerLab.com
Company typePrivate
IndustryBook Publisher (NAICS code 51130)
Founded1999 (1999)
Headquarters
333 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY
,
United States
Key people
Tod Cooperman, M.D. (President)

Mark Anderson, Ph.D. (VP of Research)

Lisa K. Sabin (VP of Business Development)
ServicesPublisher of test results and guides for dietary supplement, brand licensing and advertising.
Websitewww.consumerlab.com

ConsumerLab.com, LLC. is a privately held American company registered in White Plains, NY. It is a publisher of test results on health, wellness, and nutrition products.[1][2] Consumer Labs is not a laboratory, but contracts studies to outside testing laboratories. It purchases dietary supplement products and other consumer goods directly from public storefronts and online retailers, contracts for testing by private laboratories, and publishes reports based on the results. It primarily derives revenue from the sale of subscriptions to its online publications, which are paywalled. Other sources of revenue include a proprietary certification program, licensing fees, contents re-publication license fees, and advertising.[2]

In 2000, ConsumerLab.com generated media attention when its testing of ginseng products revealed substantial pesticide contamination in many products. In 2008, they found 12 red yeast rice product samples to contain widely varying amounts of active ingredients and some included toxins. The testing was repeated in 2014 and 2018 with similar findings. In 2011, they found that two of three coconut water products contained less sodium and magnesium than claimed on the Nutrition Facts label. This spurred a class-action lawsuit against Vita Coco's manufacturer, All Market Inc., which was eventually settled for $10 million in 2012. In 2012, a ConsumerLab.com study reported that a tested sample of the energy drink 5-hour Energy contained about 207 mg of caffeine,[3][4][5][6] which is substantially more than its advertised claim of “about as much caffeine as a cup of the leading premium coffee,” which the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states to be generally 80–100 mg.[7]

History

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ConsumerLab.com was founded in 1999 by Tod Cooperman M.D., a graduate of the Boston University School of Medicine.[8][9][10]

Personnel

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William Obermeyer helped found ConsumerLab.com and served as V.P. for Research until 2012.[11][12] Obermeyer worked as a Natural Products Chemist testing dietary supplements within the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), part of FDA, for nine years prior to joining ConsumerLab.com in 1999. As of 2007, Obermeyer worked as an advisor to the company.[13]

The current V.P. for research is Mark L. Anderson, a pharmacologist/toxicologist who was previously Director of Research and Development at Triarco Industries,[2][14] a manufacturer of ingredients for the food, beverage, and dietary supplement/nutraceutical industries.

Products and services

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ConsumerLab.com reports that its main revenue is from online subscriptions. Other revenue-generating products include books, survey reports[15] and the sale of licenses to publish its proprietary information.[2] Tests are not conducted by ConsumerLab.com, but are contracted to independent laboratories. A 2000 New York Times article reports one of the laboratories is Alpha Chemical and Biomedical Laboratories in Petaluma, CA.[16]

Products to be tested are purchased directly from retail stores, online retailers, mail-order catalogs, or multi-level marketing companies. Products are not accepted from manufacturers, and are retested every few years.[17] A 2004 Journal of the Medical Library Association review noted that "approximately half of the [laboratory test results] reports indicate the date the review was posted".[17] For a fee, ConsumerLab.com offers a voluntary certification program. Products that pass the certification can use the "CL Seal of Approval" for which there is a licensing fee.[2][17] Vendors of brand name products named in its reports can, for an advertising fee, be listed in a "Where to Buy" section which is clearly marked as advertising.[17]

Research and Publications

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In the analysis "[A Multi-Year Heavy Metal Analysis of 72 Dark Chocolate and Cocoa Products in the USA](https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1366231)," published in Frontiers in Nutrition (2024), researchers from ConsumerLab.com and George Washington University analyzed lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) in cocoa products tested from 2014 to 2022. The research revealed that 43% of products exceeded California's Proposition 65 levels for Pb, and 35% for Cd, although 97.2% met less stringent US FDA standards for Pb. Products labeled as "organic" were more likely to have higher levels of both lead and cadmium. This underscores the need for vigilant heavy metal monitoring in cocoa products, especially those labeled organic, to ensure consumer safety.

[18]

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In January 2005, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN),[19] a "trade association representing dietary supplement and functional food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers," registered a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission against ConsumerLab.com.[20] It alleged the "entire business model" of ConsumerLab.com "represents an egregious form of consumer fraud and deception." CRN requested the FTC to require ConsumerLab.com to disclose all test results, identify the labs that perform its tests, and change its company name to avoid implying that it does its own testing.[21] On 15 March 2005, the FTC stated: "staff is not recommending agency action at this time,"[22] and no subsequent action has occurred.

On 9 March 2006, Dr. Tod Cooperman spoke at a House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform hearing on the Regulation of Dietary Supplements.[23] In his statement, he said the most common problem identified from their tests were "lack of ingredient in a supplement or a very poor quality ingredient in a supplement" (i.e., potency) and "contamination with lead and other heavy metals and pesticides" (i.e., adulteration).[24] On 26 May 2010, Dr. Cooperman reporting similar problems[25] in a panel statement to a "Dietary Supplements: What Seniors Need To Know" hearing at the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.[26][27][28][29]

ConsumerLab.com filed suit against CRN alleging CRN's publication of its complaint letter to FTC was defamation, infliction of intentional harm, and six other causes. [30] In May 2006, the New York Supreme Court dismissed this suit for failure to state a claim for all but the defamation allegation.[31][verification needed] The dispute was eventually settled and dismissed.[32][33]

On 1 June 2017, Dr. Mark Anderson spoke at the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements Research Practicum.[34][35][36]

Dietary supplement testing

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ConsumerLab.com seeks to verify the accuracy of manufacturers' claims of supplement contents.[17] ConsumerLab.com tries to communicate the testing methods, quality criteria/standards, and results in common, layman's terms.[2] Consumer Labs is not a laboratory, but contracts studies to outside independent laboratories.

Notable findings

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In 2000, ConsumerLab.com's testing of Ginseng products revealed substantial pesticide contamination in many products, creating significant media attention.[37][38][39][40]

In 2008, ConsumerLab.com submitted 12 red yeast rice product samples to a third party testing lab and found the supplements contained widely varying amounts of active ingredients and some included toxins.[41][42][43] The testing was repeated in 2014 and 2018 with similar findings.[44]

In 2011, a ConsumerLab.com study found that two of three coconut water products, commonly promoted for hydration and electrolyte balance, contained less sodium and magnesium than claimed on the label.[45][46][47][48] This spurred a class-action lawsuit against Vita Coco's manufacturer, All Market Inc., which was eventually settled for $10 million in 2012.[49][50][51]

In 2012, a ConsumerLab.com study on energy drinks reported that a tested sample of 5-hour Energy contained about 207 mg of caffeine.[3][4][5][6] This may be considered notably higher than the advertised "about as much caffeine as a cup of the leading premium coffee,"[3] as the FDA states that a cup of coffee usually contains 80–100 mg of caffeine[7] and a cup of Starbucks coffee contains 130 mg of caffeine.[52]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Give Us This Day Our Daily Supplements New York Times, 4 March 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "About ConsumerLab.com". Consumerlab.com. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "Perks of Five-Hour Energy Put to Test". The Early Show. CBS. February 7, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Hudson, William (16 November 2012). "FDA investigates deaths preliminarily linked to energy shots". CNN. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  5. ^ a b O'Connor, Clare. "What's In A Bottle Of 5-Hour Energy?". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  6. ^ a b Bauerlein, Valerie (2011-06-02). "Bottlers of Buzz Wake Up to Find Seniors as Newest Customers". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  7. ^ a b Commissioner, Office of the (2019-04-18). "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?". FDA.
  8. ^ "About Us | ConsumerLab.com". www.consumerlab.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  9. ^ "About PharmacyChecker.com". PharmacyChecker.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  10. ^ Newsmax TV (2015-02-09), MidPoint | Tod Cooperman, MD discusses the dangers involved with mislabeled supplements, retrieved 2018-08-05
  11. ^ "Private Company Tests Safety of Supplements". NPR.org. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  12. ^ "Lead? Arsenic? Parasites? Many Herbal Supplements Tainted". Fox News. 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  13. ^ William Obermeyer 2007 Annual Meeting & Exposition, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Mark Anderson, Ph.D LinkedIn. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  15. ^ Anetor, John I (2005). "ConsumerLab.com's "Guide to Buying Vitamins & Supplements: What's Really in the Bottle?". Journal of the National Medical Association. 97 (2): 304–305. PMC 2568756.
  16. ^ HEMPHILL, CLARA (June 20, 2000). "Putting Dietary Supplements to the Test". New York Times. Retrieved 2 January 2013. ConsumerLab.com of White Plains, is testing various products for quality and potency at independent laboratories across the country, including Alpha Chemical
  17. ^ a b c d e Glassman, Nancy (2004). "Electronic resource review: Consumerlab.com". Journal of the Medical Library Association. 92 (4): 509–510. PMC 521528.
  18. ^ Hands, Jacob M.; Anderson, Mark A.; Cooperman, Tod; Balsky, Jared J.; Frame, Leigh A. (2024). "A Multi-Year Heavy Metal Analysis of 72 Dark Chocolate and Cocoa Products in the USA". Frontiers in Nutrition. 11: 1366231. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1366231. PMC 11321977.
  19. ^ "About CRN | Council for Responsible Nutrition". www.crnusa.org. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  20. ^ "CRN Files FTC Complaint Against ConsumerLab.com". Natural Products INSIDER. 2005-01-13. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  21. ^ Nutraceuticals World
  22. ^ Engle, Mary (15 Mar 2002). "Re: Council for Responsible Nutrition's Complaint Against ConsumerLab.com, LLC" (PDF). FTC.gov. Retrieved 24 Sep 2018.
  23. ^ "House Hearing, 109th Congress - The Regulation of Dietary Supplements: A Review of Consumer Safeguards". GPO.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  24. ^ "The Regulation of Dietary Supplements: A Review of Consumer Safeguards" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. 9 March 2006. p. 184. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  25. ^ "Testimony of Tod Cooperman, MD, President, ConsumerLab.com to Senate Special Committee on Aging - Subcommittee on Dietary Supplements" (PDF). Tod Cooperman. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  26. ^ hearing detail Archived 2012-12-12 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ "Kohl Calls For Better Labeling, Reduction of Contaminents in Dietary Supplements". United States Senate Special Committee On Aging. 26 May 2010. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  28. ^ "United States Senate Special Committee on Aging". www.aging.senate.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  29. ^ Harris, Gardiner (26 May 2010). "Herbal Supplements Often Have Contaminants, Study Finds". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  30. ^ Council for Responsible Nutrition vs. Hartford Casualty Insurance Co. (UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 7 July 2007), Text.
  31. ^ "Civil Action No. 06-1590 (RMC)" (PDF). US Government Printing Office. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  32. ^ Laurie, Budgar. "ConsumerLab, CRN call legal truce". Natural Foods Merchandiser. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  33. ^ "Insurance for advertising injury covers claims of defamation under New York law | Lexology". 6 August 2007. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  34. ^ "Office of Dietary Supplements - Mary Frances Picciano Dietary Supplement Research Practicum Presentation Videos". ods.od.nih.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  35. ^ NIHOD (2017-11-01), Dietary Supplement Practicum (15 of 21): Meeting the Stakeholders--Meet the Watchdogs, archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2018-09-24
  36. ^ NIHOD (2017-11-01), Dietary Supplement Practicum (16 of 21): Discussion with Industry & Watchdog Panels, archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2018-09-24
  37. ^ Smith, Ian K.; M.D (2000-07-31). "Ginseng Surprise". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  38. ^ "20/20: Warnings About Herbal Supplements". ABC News. 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  39. ^ Taylor, David A. "Getting to the Root of Ginseng". Smithsonian. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  40. ^ "News Features: Herbs for health, but how safe are they?" (PDF). Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 79 (7): 692. July 2001 – via WHO.
  41. ^ "Cholesterol-Busting Herb: What're You Getting?". ABC News. 2010-10-26. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  42. ^ Harding, Anne (9 July 2008). "Contamination common in red yeast rice products". Reuters. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  43. ^ Gordon, Ram Y.; Cooperman, Tod; Obermeyer, William; Becker, David J. (2010-10-25). "Marked Variability of Monacolin Levels in Commercial Red Yeast Rice Products". Archives of Internal Medicine. 170 (19): 1722–7. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2010.382. ISSN 0003-9926. PMID 20975018.
  44. ^ "Red Yeast Rice Supplement Reviews and Information". ConsumerLab.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  45. ^ O'Connor, Anahad (8 August 2011). "Really? The Claim: For Better Hydration, Drink Coconut Water". New York Times. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  46. ^ "ConsumerLab.com Tests Coconut Water Brands, Menopause Supplements". Nutraceuticals World. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  47. ^ Esterl, Mike (11 February 2012). "The Beverage Wars Move to Coconuts". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  48. ^ "Coconut Water Not the Magic Hydration Bullet It's Claimed To Be: Study". HuffPost. 2011-08-04. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  49. ^ "Vita Coco Will Pay $10M To Settle Suit Over 'Super-Hydrating' Coconut Water". Business Insider. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  50. ^ Rovell, Darren (2012-04-17). "Is Coconut Water Headed for a Boom or Bust?". CNBC. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  51. ^ Esterl, Mike (2012-02-11). "The Beverage Wars Move to Coconuts". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  52. ^ "Starbucks Coffee Company Beverage Nutrition Information" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-07-04.
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