Sabinsa says competitors are attempting to cash in on growing demand for vitamin C by inaccurately claiming to offer high concentrations of the nutrient derived from amla extract.

The firm analyzed products claiming as much as 25% concentration to isolate vitamin C in the formulations from amla extract, also known as Indian gooseberry, and to trace the origin of the nutrient to fermentation rather than to amla, it said in a 17 June release.

Sabinsa says its experience manufacturing its Saberry amla extract brand with a standardized amount of 10% beta-glucogallin, an alternative antioxidant to ascorbic acid, drew its attention to competitors’ claims. It argues that suppliers should disclose when they blend fermentation-derived vitamin C with amla extract and claim 25% concentration.

The firm also argues it is not economically feasible to isolate and extract vitamin C up to 25% from the raw material alma extract, but other ingredient providers are claiming they are. It says studies have shown that amla isn’t a valid biomarker or a source of high amounts of vitamin C because it doesn’t contain ascorbic acid in consistent amounts and often only in trace quantities.

Demand for vitamin C in the US climbing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the week ending 22 March, sales of vitamin C supplements soared 43% in multi-outlet retailers, according to SPINS LLC. (Also see "Pandemic-Driven Trends Show Strong Immunity Supplement Future, Elderberry A Current 'Darling'" - HBW Insight, 21 April, 2020.)

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