Don't Be Fooled, Know the Characteristics of Fake Vitamins and Their Dangers to Health

YOGYAKARTA - The characteristics of fake vitamins need to be known so that consumers can avoid serious health risks and economic losses.

Not long ago, social media users were shocked by the issue of the sale of various brands of vitamins that were allegedly fake on e-commerce.

One X user with the account @Racu********* appealed to the public to be more careful when buying vitamins on online shopping platforms. Because, there are several vitamin brands that are suspected to be fake and do not have official permits from the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

"You guys should be careful about FAKE vitamins in S*****. Actually, there have been a lot of discussions from years ago, unfortunately it is still sold + review of false although it contains only gummy gelatin and fish oil. Better find brands that are familiar or local, such as IPI," wrote the account on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Not only that, the account also uploaded pictures of vitamins that were allegedly fake, including from the brands Mulittea, Kirkland, Bbeeaauu, to Imatchme. Most of these vitamins are sold at relatively cheap prices.

So, what are the characteristics of fake vitamins? To find out, read the explanation in the article below.

Characteristics of Fake Vitamins

Quoted from the Food and Drug Intelligence Directorate website, the following are the characteristics of fake vitamins that need to be known:

Sold Cheaper than Market Price

Fake vitamins are usually sold at a much lower price than similar products. Unreasonable discounts should be suspected, especially if the product comes from a well-known brand.

Packaging is not clear and suspicious.

Pay attention to the condition of the vitamin packaging before buying. Fake products often have damaged packaging, open seals, faded label colors, blurred writing, or spelling errors. In addition, important information such as expiration dates and distribution license numbers are often not clearly stated.

Product Information Incomplete

Authentic vitamins must list the composition, dosage, consumption rules, warnings, and the name of the manufacturer or distributor. If the product label makes excessive or unreasonable health claims, it may be an indication of a fake vitamin.

Not registered with BPOM

One of the easiest ways to recognize fake vitamins is the absence of the BPOM Distribution Permit (NIE). Consumers are advised to always check the authenticity of the BPOM number through the BPOM official website or the BPOM Mobile application.

Sold in Unreliable Places

Fake vitamins are often marketed through anonymous social media accounts, unofficial websites, or sellers who do not have a clear reputation. It is best to buy vitamins only at pharmacies, official drug stores, or trusted distributors.

The Dangers of Consuming Fake Vitamins

Still from the same source, here are the dangers of drinking fake vitamins for health:

Dangerous Substances that Threaten the Body

One of the dangers of consuming fake vitamins is the potential for harmful substances that are not listed on the label. Several illegal products are known to contain non-essential heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and chromium in levels exceeding safe limits.

Exposure to these substances can cause poisoning, organ disorders, and increase the risk of chronic diseases including cancer.

In addition, contaminated fake vitamins also have the potential to trigger liver injury due to certain chemicals. In severe conditions, liver damage can develop into acute liver failure requiring intensive medical treatment.

Does not provide health benefits

Fake vitamins generally do not contain the nutrients or active ingredients as claimed on the packaging. The content is very minimal, it can even have no health effects at all. Consuming this kind of product is just a waste of time and money, while the health problems you experience are not handled properly.

Risk of Dangerous Drug Interactions

For someone who is undergoing treatment, the danger of taking fake vitamins becomes even greater. Some fake vitamins contain hidden chemicals that can interact with prescription drugs. This interaction has the potential to reduce the effectiveness of the drug, increase side effects, to cause a toxic reaction that is life-threatening.

This is information about the characteristics of fake vitamins and their dangers to health. Get other interesting news updates by visiting the VOI.id page.

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