Last June, Sabinsa issued a warning about a growing number of products falsely claiming to contain vitamin C derived from amla. Sabinsa has now provided FDA and FTC with documentation from two independent labs confirming that these products actually contain vitamin C derived from corn, sugarcane, or other plants, according to a press release. The company contends that in addition to false marketing, this undocumented additive may be considered adulteration under the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act.
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Amla actually contains only trace amounts of ascorbic acid, the release notes. Amla’s antioxidant properties are actually attributable to certain gallic acid esters.“Sabinsa is working to bring such products to the attention of appropriate government agencies, and we urge the industry to exercise caution when purchasing ‘natural’ vitamin C additives and supplements,” said Dr. Muhammed Majeed, Founder and Chairman of Sabinsa. “Absent independent IRMS analysis confirming the authenticity of such materials, they may be adulterated with biosynthetic vitamin C. This is especially a concern with purportedly ‘pure’ amla-based vitamin C additives. Because amla contains only trace amounts of vitamin C, such products are likely adulterated with vitamin C from other sources.”
