Along with not being as affordable as you think, the vitamins and supplements found at stores like Walmart and Target may not offer the quality that they seem to, either. In 2015, Walmart, Target, and Walgreens were accused by the New York Attorney General of not containing the ingredients listed on the labels (per CNN). Rather, the herbal supplements were found to actually contain additives like powdered rice instead of the listed herbs. The attorney general's office submitted cease and desist letters to the companies, which were reported first by The New York Times. And while the issue has likely been resolved, Ramhold told Reader's Digest that it is "still disconcerting."
So, if Walmart isn't your go-to for vitamins and supplements, where should you shop instead? Medical News Today recommends seeking out products that are approved by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), an independent organization that holds products to quality standards. A USP mark verifies that products contain limited levels of contaminants, be accurately described on their labels, and break down properly in the body. Eliza Savage, a certified dietician and editor at Verywell Fit, recommended seeking out vitamin products on Amazon, The Vitamin Shoppe, and eVitamins, among others.
A little bit of research to ensure that your vitamins and supplements are what they say they are can go a long way.
