Are Your Vitamins Made in China? Here’s Why That Matters: By Bruce Brightman - Founder, Lifesource Vitamins - Since 1992

If you’re taking a big-name national brand of vitamins, there’s a good chance your supplements are made — at least in part — in China. Why? One word: profit.

The global vitamin and supplement industry is massive, and sourcing ingredients from countries with lower production costs can significantly increase profit margins. But the real question is: what are you sacrificing for that lower price tag? Health, Longevity?

Why the Source of Your Vitamins Matters

Sourcing high-quality nutrients from countries like the United States , Scotland, the UK, Australia , or Japan is significantly more expensive than sourcing from China. However, these countries also have stricter environmental, safety, and humanitarian / labor standards .

On the other hand, China — while a dominant player in the supplement industry — has minimal environmental regulation enforcement , low labor costs, and government ownership in many production facilities. This often results in subpar quality , questionable working conditions, and little accountability in the manufacturing process.

Vitamin C and the China Connection

Take Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for example. It’s one of the most commonly used vitamins — and roughly 80% of the global supply comes from China .

While you can purchase ascorbic acid manufactured in the U.S. or UK, it costs up to five times more. The labor cost difference is staggering — in 2018, the average factory worker in a Chinese nutrient facility earned just $1.32 per hour, compared to $17.57 per hour in the U.S.

That cost difference explains why so many brands choose to source their ingredients from China — even at the expense of quality. At LifeSource Vitamins, we refuse to cut corners by sourcing ingredients from China — quality and integrity always come first.

The Hidden Dangers of Chinese Supplements

One major issue is oversight — or lack thereof. Many Chinese vitamin companies are owned or controlled by the Chinese government , which means regulations can be easily sidestepped.

Here’s the scary truth:

• The FDA only inspects about 2% of all imported vitamins and supplements .

• Supplements are legally classified as “food,” meaning they aren’t subject to strict pharmaceutical-level testing.

• Environmental toxicity, contamination from waste runoff, and “unknown toxicities” are all possible risks in ingredients sourced from poorly regulated areas.

Pollution and Contamination in China

China is considered the most polluted country in the world. Yet many herbs, fruits, and vegetables used in supplements are still sourced from there.

• Rivers are so polluted that they occasionally catch fire on their own .

• Factories regularly dump raw sewage, industrial sludge , and chemical waste into water systems.

• Up to 80% of industrial waste goes untreated into rivers.

• 86% of city water bodies in China are significantly polluted.

Despite these conditions, these same contaminated crops and raw materials are used in supplements exported worldwide.

What Experts Are Saying

The danger isn’t just speculation — even U.S. regulators have expressed concern:

• Steve Mister, FDA advisor, said: “We walk a fine line. We want to protect consumers, but we also don't want to alarm consumers so they stay away from the whole marketplace.”

• Michael Levy, another FDA official, bluntly warned: “These products from China may work, but if you take them, they could kill you.”

So Why Do Companies Still Use Chinese Ingredients?

The answer is simple: higher profits. Lower costs for raw materials and labor mean bigger margins for supplement companies — even if it means sacrificing purity, safety, and transparency.

If you're taking supplements daily, ask yourself: Do you trust where they’re coming from?

Final Thought: What Does "Heixin" Mean?

Even within China, there's a term — "Heixin" (黑心) — used to describe people or companies who produce or sell harmful, fake, or toxic goods. It translates to "black heart" — a fitting phrase for the mindset behind cutting corners at the expense of public health.

Have a look at LifeSource Vitamins and you will understand why we don't source any products from China. Click Here

While doing this research over the last 34 years, it has been both disheartening and motivating. I am more motivated now than ever to continue to create vitamins and supplements that work and are safe for my family and yours. Bruce Brightman

Watch Bruce Brightman on the TV Show Herman and Sharron on Christian Television Network talk about Supplements from China. China Video

Proudly Made in the USA !


Every LifeSource Vitamins product exceeds all regulatory standards and requirements set forth in the FDA's Code of Federal Regulation. ( 21 CFR, part 111 ) as well as all Good Manufacturing Practices enforced by the FDA. CGMP's provide for systems that assure proper design, monitoring, and control of manufacturing processes and facilities. ( CGMP ).

Many consumers are unaware that a large percentage of Chinese vitamin supplements dominate the global market, raising serious concerns about supplements made in China and the overall lack of vitamin sourcing transparency. The dangers of Chinese supplements include exposure to low-quality ingredients, poor manufacturing standards, and even toxic contaminants. If you're wondering where are vitamins made, it’s worth knowing that roughly 80% of vitamin C from China supplies the global market. This raises major red flags regarding imported supplement risks, especially considering the potential for vitamin contamination in China due to widespread industrial waste and pollution in Chinese supplements. The current lack of robust FDA vitamin import inspection leaves gaps in oversight, making supplement ingredient sourcing a critical issue for consumers. Terms like heixin Chinese products — meaning “black-hearted” or morally corrupt — highlight the public's mistrust of unethical practices. Choosing ethical supplement brands like LifeSource Vitamins, which prioritizes ingredient purity and manufacturing integrity, is essential to ensure LifeSource Vitamins quality and protect your long-term health.

LifeSource Vitamins: Driven by Faith ~ Powered by God

Have Questions on this or any other product or health issue for you or a loved one? It can be overwhelming we know. Call us, we will walk you through what supplements will help you and which ones you really don’t need. It’s what we do! Toll-Free: 800-567-8122

LifeSource Vitamins – Founded in 1992

100% of our profits are donated to Christian Organizations like these and many others worldwide:

Campus Crusade for Christ - CRU

The Jesus Film Project

World Vision

The Tim Tebow Foundation

Compassion International

Samaritan’s Purse

The Herman and Sharron Show on CTN (Christian Television Network) and many more…

www.LifesourceVitamins.com

E-mail Us: [email protected]

or Call Us: 800.567.8122

We Are Built on Compassion - Driven by Faith & Powered by God!

*Disclaimer: None of the above statements have been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. As always, consult your physician before taking any and all supplements. LifeSource Vitamins. Individual results may vary.

Disclaimer: All the information contained throughout this website is based upon the opinions of the founder of LifeSource Vitamins, Bruce Brightman, and the entire team at LifeSource Vitamins whose relentless research and studies have been ongoing since 1992. Other articles and information are based on the opinions of the authors, who retain the copyright as marked in the article. The information on this site is not intended to replace your health care professional, but to enhance your relationship with them. Doing your own studying and research and taking your health care into your own hands is always best, especially in partnership with your health care professional.

If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have any medical conditions, always consult your health care professional before taking supplements based on the information on this site.

LifeSource Vitamins: from the nutrients we choose, to the way we run our business, we answer to God in all we do!