A University Study Tested 30 Amazon Supplements — Here’s What They Found and Why It Matters

What the Results Reveal About Label Accuracy in 2026

Buying supplements online has become routine. Marketplaces like Amazon offer thousands of options, strong star ratings, and professional-looking packaging that suggests reliability. For many consumers, those signals feel reassuring.

However, a peer-reviewed university study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that label accuracy in online supplements cannot be assumed — even among popular, highly rated products.

This article breaks down what the researchers did, what they found, and how readers can use this information to make more informed supplement decisions in 2026.

Who Conducted the Study

The research was conducted by scientists affiliated with the University of Mississippi’s National Center for Natural Products Research, a leading U.S. institution focused on dietary supplements and natural products.

The study was published in JAMA Network Open, a respected, peer-reviewed medical journal.

Full study (PubMed):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35947382/

Free full text (PubMed Central):
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9366544/

How the Researchers Selected the Supplements

To replicate a typical consumer shopping experience, the researchers searched for supplements marketed for immune support on Amazon.

They purchased:

• The first 30 products returned in the search results
• Supplements with four-star ratings or higher
• Products sold directly to consumers (no prescriptions)

The goal was not to target obscure or low-quality listings, but to evaluate products that everyday buyers would reasonably trust.

How the Supplements Were Analyzed

Each product was analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), a laboratory method commonly used to identify and measure chemical compounds.

This allowed researchers to determine:

• Whether listed ingredients were present
• Whether ingredients were present in detectable amounts
• Whether undeclared ingredients were included

Key Findings from the Study

The results showed widespread inconsistencies between labels and contents.

Summary of results

Category	Result
Total supplements tested	30
Products with accurate labels	13
Products with inaccurate labels	17
Products listing ingredients not detected	13
Products containing undeclared ingredients	9

Source:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9366544/

More than half of the tested supplements did not fully match what was stated on their labels.

What “Mislabeling” Meant in this Study

Mislabeling did not refer to minor formatting issues.

This research included:

• Ingredients listed on the label, but not detected at all
• Ingredients present in the product but not disclosed
• Significant discrepancies between the listed and measured contents

This highlights that label inaccuracies can occur in both directions—missing ingredients and unexpected additions.

Why Amazon Ratings Did Not Predict Accuracy

One of the most notable findings was that high star ratings did not correlate with label accuracy.

Many of the misbranded products had:

• Thousands of reviews
• Professional packaging
• Marketing language suggesting quality or research backing

This indicates that reviews often reflect subjective experience, shipping speed, or packaging — not laboratory verification.

Amazon-style trust signals vs evidence-based trust signals

Common shopping signal	What it actually indicates	What matters more
Star ratings	Customer perception	Independent lab testing
“Immune support” claims	Marketing positioning	Transparent ingredient amounts
Professional packaging	Branding quality	Manufacturing standards
Bestseller labels	Sales volume	Batch-level verification
Influencer endorsements	Promotion	Third-party testing disclosure

Why this Matters for Supplement Buyers in 2026

This study does not imply that all online supplements are unsafe. Instead, it shows that label accuracy is inconsistent, even among popular products.

For consumers, the takeaway is not fear — it is discernment.

Learning how to evaluate supplements is more reliable than relying on marketplace signals alone.

For readers who want a broader framework on how to think about supplement quality, ingredient transparency, and marketing claims, this educational guide provides a clear foundation:
https://livegoodforlife.medium.com/super-reds-supplements-explained-benefits-best-options-and-how-to-choose-wisely-8e3578d528c5

How to Evaluate Supplement Quality More Effectively

A practical, evidence-aware approach includes looking for:

• Clearly stated ingredient amounts (not just names)
• Identifiable ingredient forms (e.g., MK-7 vs “vitamin K”)
• Third-party testing disclosure
• Lot or batch traceability
• Conservative, non-sensational claims

Caution is warranted when labels rely heavily on:

• Proprietary blends without quantities
• Disease-style language
• Vague “clinically proven” statements without citations

Pros and Cons of Buying Supplements on large Marketplaces

Pros

• Convenience and availability
• Wide selection
• Easy price comparison

Cons

• Inconsistent quality control
• Seller variability
• Label accuracy risks highlighted by independent research

Source study:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2794987

Related Educational Resources

Readers exploring supplement transparency and quality may find these guides helpful:

• Why many people overpay for supplements
  https://livegoodforlife.com/why-most-people-overpay-for-supplements/
• Supplements 101: a beginner guide
  https://livegoodforlife.com/supplements-101-the-complete-beginners-guide-pdf/
• How supplement pricing and formulations differ
  https://livegoodforlife.com/how-livegood-supplement-calculator-works/
• Overview of supplement quality standards
  https://livegoodforlife.com/livegood-health-supplements/

How to Check If a Supplement Is Truly Effective (or Just “Fairy Dust”)

There’s a simple way to avoid wasting money on supplements that look impressive on the label but do very little in practice.

The goal isn’t to become a chemist. It’s to slow down long enough to understand whether a formula is built to function — or just to look good.

A simple three-step reality check

Start by taking a clear screenshot of the Supplement Facts panel and ingredient list. Make sure serving size and ingredient amounts are visible.

Next, upload that image into ChatGPT and ask a neutral, practical question, such as:

“Based on these ingredient amounts, are the doses likely to be meaningful, or are they too low to have a practical effect?”

Finally, focus on dose context rather than ingredient count.

Many supplements list a long lineup of trendy ingredients. What actually matters is how much of each ingredient is present.

Understanding “fairy dusting.”

This practice is often referred to as fairy dusting.

It refers to adding tiny, ineffective amounts of ingredients — sometimes just trace quantities — so they can be listed on the label without contributing meaningfully to the formula.

In practical terms, a supplement can list 20 ingredients, but if each is included at a sand-grain dose, your body may not notice much at all.

That doesn’t automatically make a product “bad.” It does mean expectations should stay realistic. Supplements tend to work best when they use evidence-based ingredients at functional doses, not just long ingredient lists.

Using tools like ChatGPT can help remove branding from the equation and focus on what’s actually there.

Why Third-Party Lab Testing Matters More Than Marketing Claims

Many supplements are described as “lab tested,” “quality tested,” or “third-party tested.” On its own, that wording doesn’t tell you very much.

The most important question is simple: can you see the results?

What real third-party testing looks like

Credible brands typically make testing easy to verify. They often:

Publish Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
Provide batch or lot numbers
Disclose what was tested (purity, contaminants, potency)
Name the independent laboratory

When testing is legitimate, transparency is usually straightforward.

When “lab tested” is just a phrase

If a product claims third-party testing but:

Doesn’t show results
Doesn’t name the lab
Doesn’t provide documentation
Or only mentions internal testing

Consumers are then asked to rely on trust rather than evidence.

That doesn’t mean contamination exists. It simply means that verification is unavailable.

Why this matters for organic and plant-based supplements

Products marketed as organic or plant-based still require testing. Soil quality, sourcing, and processing all influence purity.

Independent testing helps confirm that:

Heavy metals are within safe limits
The product matches its label
Organic claims reflect sourcing, not just wording

Transparency builds confidence. Silence doesn’t.

Are You Paying $70 for a Dozen Eggs? A Smarter Way to Think About Supplement Pricing

If a dozen eggs suddenly cost $70, most people would pause. Not because eggs aren’t valuable — but because price alone doesn’t define quality.

The same logic applies to supplements.

An expensive supplement doesn’t automatically mean it’s better, stronger, or more supportive. In many cases, high prices reflect branding, packaging, and marketing rather than formulation quality.

At the same time, choosing the cheapest option isn’t the answer either.

The goal is balance.

Why expensive doesn’t always mean effective

Some supplements cost more because they:

Use trendy ingredient names
List dozens of compounds
Invest heavily in advertising

But when examined closely, many of those ingredients are present in very small amounts. A product claiming “50 ingredients” may sound impressive, but if each one is included at a minimal dose, the effect on the body is limited while the cost to the buyer is very real.

That’s marketing density, not functional density.

Why ultra-cheap isn’t the answer either

Very low prices can signal:

Lower-quality sourcing
Limited quality control
Lack of independent testing

Cheap doesn’t automatically mean poor quality, but it does mean closer evaluation is necessary.

The real value zone

A well-designed supplement often sits in the middle:

Reasonably priced for consistent use
Uses meaningful doses instead of long lists
Provides verifiable third-party testing
Focuses on function rather than flash

That balance is where sustainable value tends to live.

Why Proprietary Blends Are One of the Biggest Red Flags in Supplements

One of the most common tactics in the supplement industry is the use of proprietary blends.

On the surface, the term sounds advanced and protective. In practice, it often hides the most important information.

What proprietary blends actually allow

When ingredients are grouped into a proprietary blend:

Individual dosages are not disclosed
One inexpensive ingredient can dominate the formula
Other ingredients may be added in trace amounts

This creates the appearance of complexity without revealing whether the formula is functionally designed.

In simple terms, you may be paying for a long ingredient list rather than a purposeful formulation.

The “fairy dust” effect revisited

Proprietary blends are where fairy dusting thrives.

A supplement may advertise rare herbs, advanced extracts, or cutting-edge compounds. But without disclosed dosages, there’s no way to know whether those ingredients are present in amounts aligned with research or practical use.

The marketing impact can be large, while the physiological impact remains small.

Why do these benefits market more than the body

Proprietary blends make products look more advanced and sound more scientific. What they remove is the consumer’s ability to evaluate:

Which ingredient is doing the real work
Whether doses are meaningful
Whether the price reflects formulation or presentation

This is why simpler formulas with fewer ingredients — listed clearly and dosed appropriately — often provide more value than complex blends with hidden quantities.

A simple mindset shift

Instead of asking how many ingredients a supplement contains, try asking:

Can I see the dose of each ingredient?
Does the formula make logical sense?
Am I paying for function or storytelling?

In supplements, clarity almost always beats complexity.

Why Some Consumers Gravitate Toward LiveGood as a More Transparent Option

After seeing how often supplement labels fail to match their contents, many readers naturally ask a practical question: What does a more trustworthy supplement model actually look like?

For some consumers, the appeal of LiveGood isn’t branding or buzzwords — it’s structure.

Clear and complete ingredient facts

One of the most consistent differentiators is label transparency.

LiveGood products list ingredient amounts clearly, rather than hiding them behind proprietary blends. This makes it easier for consumers to:

Understand what they’re taking
Compare doses across products
Set realistic expectations

Clarity enables people to evaluate supplements based on logic rather than storytelling.

Third-party lab testing that’s disclosed

LiveGood states that its products are third-party laboratory-tested, and that testing transparency is part of its positioning rather than a vague marketing claim.

As discussed earlier, real testing matters most when it’s verifiable and tied to accountability. Consumers who prioritize evidence over assumptions tend to value this approach.

A 90-day empty-bottle return policy

Another structural signal is risk reduction.

LiveGood offers a 90-day return policy — even on empty bottles. This shifts the risk from the consumer to the company.

Policies like this don’t guarantee results, but they do suggest confidence in product quality and consistency.

A Costco-style membership model that lowers costs

Rather than inflating prices to fund extensive advertising, LiveGood operates on a membership model similar to wholesale clubs.

For $9.95 per month, members can access lower product pricing — often significantly below what comparable “premium” supplements cost online.

Also, you can buy LiveGood products at retail prices, so you don’t need a subscription.

This structure helps explain why pricing looks different.

Rather than charging more to appear premium, the model focuses on scale, recurring membership, and leaner margins.

Broad product diversification without inflated pricing

LiveGood’s catalog spans multiple supplement categories rather than focusing on a single flagship product. This diversification allows consumers to build consistent routines without switching brands constantly.

Importantly, diversification doesn’t come with inflated “luxury” pricing.

Many products are priced lower than competitors that rely on premium-style packaging and influencer marketing, despite using similar or more transparent formulations.

When “premium” pricing doesn’t mean premium formulation

One of the most essential lessons from independent research is that price and quality are not synonymous.

Many so-called premium supplements cost more because of branding, packaging, and promotional spend — not because they contain better doses or better testing.

LiveGood’s appeal to many consumers is that it flips that equation.

Instead of charging premium prices for perceived quality, it offers lab-tested, clearly labeled products at prices that undercut many “fake premium” alternatives.

That doesn’t make LiveGood the right choice for everyone — but it does make it a logical choice for consumers who value transparency, affordability, and structural accountability over marketing signals.

Final thoughts

The University of Mississippi study serves as a reminder that popularity does not equal accuracy. In an online marketplace driven by speed and scale, thoughtful evaluation becomes essential.

The most sustainable approach to supplementation is not chasing trends or reacting to fear — it’s building a routine based on clarity, transparency, and consistency. Better questions often lead to better outcomes than louder claims.

Disclosure & Health Disclaimer

This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Nutritional needs and responses to supplements vary by individual. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any supplement routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking prescription medications.

Some links in this article may direct readers to additional resources or detailed product information. In certain cases, the author may receive a commission if a purchase is made, at no additional cost to the reader. All opinions expressed are independent and based on research, personal experience, and publicly available sources.