After the publication of a University of Colorado Anschutz study which concluded that several prenatal vitamins contained unsafe levels of heavy metals, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) noted that the authors of the study used flawed methodology to determine this conclusion. The authors of the study mistook the USP’s standard reference of micrograms per gram for micrograms per daily dose – additionally, they used methods that USP recommends for ingredients, not finished products.  

As a result, the values of heavy metal content presented in the study were falsely presented as above the threshold of USP’s safety limits.

Following this, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which published the study, acknowledged the inadvertent error, and has committed to issuing a formal correction, CRN stated.

“Such transparency helps maintain public trust and ensures that women are not unduly alarmed by flawed interpretations of scientific data,” said Steve Mister, president and CEO of CRN. “The health of pregnant women and their babies is paramount, and it is critical that public discourse surrounding prenatal vitamins is grounded in robust, accurate science.”

CRN’s advocacy also led to the University of Colorado retracting its press release on the study. The association also sought corrections in several media outlets.

“These products are rigorously tested and formulated to comply with stringent safety standards. Consumers should feel confident in their continued use of these supplements,” said Andrea Wong, senior vice president of science and regulatory affairs at CRN.