Digestion and Analysis of Mixed Vitamin Samples

Introduction

It is estimated that more than half of the adult population regularly take vitamin supplements, with annual sales of $14.3 billion a year. However the sector is fraught with media reports of false or fraudulent medicinal claims, and there is already significant scrutiny and questioning from consumers. Public concerns about the safety of dietary supplements in general were heightened after quality issues (predominantly heavy metal contamination) were revealed in a quarter of 2000 dietary supplements from more than 300 manufacturers.

The FDA has issued requirements and expectations for good manufacturing practice to ensure the quality and safety of dietary supplements. In addition when the new U.S. Pharmocopeia (USP) chapters <232>/<233> are implemented in January of 2018, stricter requirements will be put in place to limit the presence of heavy metals in drug products.