Probiotics bought online – dishonesty by manufacturers regarding distribution

  • posted by badfoodrising
    on
    permalink

    It seems to me there is a fundamental flaw in all of these probiotic pills – in that their chain of distribution is not regulated – i.e. they don’t ensure that their product is maintained below the temperature stated (usually 25 degrees ), above which may result in their products being significantly degraded or simply sterile. One indication that they are aware of this is VSL#3 – they specifically offer a refrigerated service, and will not in fact send through the normal post if the outside temperature exceeds 25 degrees.

    The fact they offer a chilled delivery service is obviously great, but the rule of not sending when the temp is over 25 degrees is flawed, because the temperature which you get it in forecasts refers to the temperature in the shade. Obviously the first problem is the temperature varies across the country, but the second and perhaps more important point is that most Royal Mail and many other delivery vans are not air conditioned, so the temperature of a van in full sun will rise to 20+ degrees higher than what the outside temperature may be. Given with the free delivery offered by Amazon may result in these items being in vans for days on end the effect could be decidedly worse. And then we have to take into account the fact these products may be stored in non air conditioned metal roofed warehouses for months on end, it seems highly likely that by the time we receive these probiotic supplements they may only have a fraction of the stated probiotic content as stated at the time of manufacturer, and quite probably, especially if being delivered free delivery in the height of summer, it’ll be no better than a placebo because it’s dead.

  • posted by badfoodrising
    on
    permalink

    OK, so I have managed to find some hard facts on at least Amazon – for their Fulfilled by Amazon service which many of the probiotics on Amazon seem to be sold under, this is a US guideline, but I suspect it applies worldwide:

    “Temperature-sensitive products must be able to withstand at least a minimum temperature of 50 degrees and at least a maximum temperature of 100 degrees for the duration of the product’s shelf life without adversely affecting product quality. Carton markings must not include storage temperature requirements unless expressed explicitly as a range from 50 to 100 degrees.+”

    https://sellercentral.amazon.com/forums/t/distribution-warehouse-temperatures/190916/5
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_rel_topic?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200339730

    100 degrees Fahrenheit is 38 degrees Celsius. Pretty much all these probiotics state store in a cool place or under 25 degrees. And that’s not even taking into account the likely 40+ degree temperatures in non air conditioned delivery vans in the late spring and summer. So either these manufacturers must be completely ignorant of the realities of distribution storage conditions, or else they simply do not really care that their products may be almost completely destroyed by the time they reach their customers.

Please log in or register to post a reply.