A Closer Look at Legal Troubles in the Supplement Industry: Ritual, Thorne, Nature Made, and Garden of Life.
This article is written solely to raise awareness about the supplements you take and what you should know before putting them into your body. We have no personal issues with any of these brands. However, with so many people unknowingly relying on poorly made or questionably sourced vitamins, we felt it was necessary to publish an educational piece about the major brands out there. Our goal is to highlight which supplement brands have faced lawsuits, the reasons behind them, and whether they resulted in victories, settlements, or quiet payouts.
We hope this helps you make more informed and healthier choices moving forward. The dietary supplement industry markets itself as a health-forward, science-backed ally in personal wellness. But behind glossy labels and claims of purity, several well-known brands have faced serious legal scrutiny. From undisclosed ingredients to deceptive advertising, the legal trail tells a more complex story. Below is a breakdown of legal actions involving four major supplement companies—Ritual, Thorne, Nature Made, and Garden of Life—each with its own set of controversies and courtroom history.
Thorne: Reputation for Quality, But Not Immune to Scrutiny
Thorne Research Inc. has similarly avoided major lawsuits, class actions, or FDA recalls in recent years. However, they did face regulatory action in the past. In 2004, the FDA issued a warning letter to Thorne for marketing dietary supplements with unapproved drug claims. Specifically, the agency cited Thorne for promoting products like Dipan-9 and Bio-Gest as treatments or preventatives for diseases such as ulcers and gallbladder dysfunction. The FDA concluded that these marketing claims rendered the products misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Thorne addressed the issue and avoided further escalation. Since then, no significant legal actions have emerged, though, like Ritual, Thorne has faced community criticism for limited COA access and concerns over third-party seller counterfeits, particularly on Amazon.
Nature Made: Class Actions, Ingredient Controversies, and Labeling Disputes
Nature Made, owned by Pharmavite LLC, has a longer list of legal entanglements—mostly centered around misleading labels, undeclared ingredients, and deceptive advertising.
1. 2012 Pork Gelatin Labeling Lawsuit
A class-action suit alleged that Nature Made supplements contained pork-derived gelatin without clearly disclosing it. This was especially problematic for vegetarians, vegans, and people with religious dietary restrictions. The case raised questions about transparency in labeling but did not reach a publicly disclosed settlement.
2. 2015 Vitamin E Misrepresentation Suit
Nature Made was sued over alleged false claims that its Vitamin E supplements supported heart health. Plaintiffs argued that no conclusive evidence backed the company’s assertions. The case spotlighted broader industry issues regarding the marketing of preventive health benefits without scientific backing. No known public settlement was recorded.
3. 2022 “No Artificial Flavors” Gummy Vitamins Class Action
Plaintiffs accused the company of deceptively labeling gummies as having “no artificial flavors” when they contained DL‑malic acid, a synthetic flavoring. The lawsuit remains pending as of the latest filings.
4. 2022 “Extra Strength” Vitamin C Mislabeling Case
Filed in July 2022, the suit challenged Nature Made’s claim that each chewable Vitamin C tablet provided 1,000 mg of Vitamin C when, in fact, each tablet contained only 500 mg. Two tablets were needed to reach the stated dose, which was not made sufficiently clear to consumers. These cases are still pending.
5. 2024 Prenatal Vitamin Chemical Exposure Lawsuit
A complaint filed in California alleged that Nature Made’s prenatal vitamins exposed users to toxic packaging chemicals like phthalates and BPA, contradicting their health-centric marketing. This lawsuit has not reached settlement or judgment.
6. 2025 Extra-Strength B12 Litigation
Filed in early 2025, this lawsuit argues that “Extra-Strength” B12 supplements do not offer significant advantages over standard formulas but are sold at inflated prices. Proceedings are ongoing.
Despite these issues, Nature Made has not been found liable or settled any of these suits publicly. However, the frequency and nature of claims suggest a pattern of questionable labeling practices and formulation clarity.
Garden of Life: Settlements, Recalls, and Data Breach Fallout
Garden of Life, now owned by Nestlé via Atrium Innovations, has seen multiple legal confrontations over the years, including regulatory crackdowns, product recalls, and consumer lawsuits.
1. 2004 FDA Warning Letter
The FDA warned Garden of Life over marketing products as treatments for diseases without approval. RM‑10 OM and FYI‑OM supplements were named specifically for unsubstantiated disease treatment claims. The company adjusted its marketing to comply with federal standards.
2. 2006 FTC Settlement over Deceptive Advertising
The Federal Trade Commission charged Garden of Life and its founder with making unsupported health claims for products including Primal Defense and Living Multi. They settled the charges by paying $225,000 and agreeing to cease making disease-related claims unless backed by “competent and reliable scientific evidence.”
3. 2014 Proposition 65 Lead and Cadmium Contamination Lawsuit
California nonprofit “As You Sow” filed suit against Garden of Life for elevated levels of lead and cadmium in their raw protein powders and superfoods. In 2015, Garden of Life agreed to a court-ordered settlement that included a $45,000 penalty and commitment to reformulate or reduce contaminant levels. An additional $35,000 in penalties and legal costs was imposed later that year.
4. 2016 Salmonella Outbreak and Product Recall
A multi-state Salmonella outbreak was traced to the company’s Raw Meal powder line. Garden of Life conducted a voluntary recall and later reformulated and rebranded the product line. The event raised public concerns about raw ingredient safety and testing standards.
5. 2023 Allergen Mislabeling Recall
The company voluntarily recalled its RM‑10 Ultra Immune supplement after discovering undeclared soy allergens. No known lawsuits followed the recall.
6. 2024 Data Breach and 2025 Class Action
In mid-2024, Garden of Life experienced a data breach that compromised payment and personal data of over 43,000 customers. In January 2025, consumers were notified. Class-action lawsuits have since been filed, alleging negligence in data security and lack of timely notification. Three fraud-related lawsuits were also filed in early 2025 and are currently pending in Florida courts.
Ritual: Clean Branding, But Not Without Questions
Ritual has largely avoided large-scale lawsuits or public regulatory crackdowns. Despite its heavy use of marketing language like “traceable” and “transparent,” the company has managed to steer clear of class actions and FDA warning letters. However, consumer trust has been tested over time by online speculation, questioning the availability of Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and the company's refusal to share third-party testing documentation on demand.
As of this writing, there is no record of Ritual settling any lawsuits or facing regulatory penalties. Their legal slate is clean, but their reputation among supplement watchdog communities is mixed, primarily due to transparency concerns and aggressive marketing claims.
While dietary supplement brands project an image of trust and wellness, the legal history behind several household names suggests a different story. Garden of Life and Nature Made have faced the most significant legal challenges, ranging from ingredient mislabeling to serious health risks and data privacy failures. Thorne and Ritual have managed to avoid serious litigation but aren’t immune to criticism over transparency and testing standards. Consumers should remain cautious, read labels carefully, and look beyond marketing claims when choosing supplements. Legal actions may not always lead to convictions or settlements, but they often reveal patterns of negligence or exaggeration that deserve attention.