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
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100% of our profits are donated to Christian Organizations like these
and many others worldwide:
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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…
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or Call Us: 800.567.8122
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*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!