The inadvertent inclusion of an undeclared ingredient could be life-threatening for some consumers.
Yale Medicine helps highlight why vitamin B12 has been trending it recent years, as it supports blood and nerve cells, and helps regenerate DNA, as well as converts food into energy—which is good for both metabolism and to fight fatigue. For those seeking B12’s benefits, nearly 10,000 bottles of two popular supplements have been pulled from shelves in Illinois and New Jersey because of an ingredient that could be life-threatening for some consumers.
According to an FDA report, Vitalabs, Inc., based in McDonough, GA, has issued a voluntary recall of its Raspberry Flavored Vitamin B12 dietary supplements due to the potential presence of a major allergen—states the notice: “The firm was notified by their supplier, that the product may contain undeclared peanuts.” [sic]
The report included a reported total of 9,657 bottles sold under two brand names:
Black Girl Vitamins
- Product: 60-count Vitamin B12 gummies
- UPC 8 60008 57505 0
- Lot # 57221A and 56199
- Best by 07/2026
Rise-N-Shine
- Product: Vitamin B12 supplement
- UPC 8 99130 01189 1
- Lot # 57664
- Best by 07/2026
Peanut allergy—which is the most common food allergy in children and the third-most common food allergy in adults, according to the nonprofit organization Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)—can cause life-threatening reactions, including anaphylaxis. In milder cases, the Mayo Clinic says it can also cause:
- Skin reactions, including hives, redness or swelling
- Itching or tingling in or around the mouth and throat
- Digestive problems, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting
- Tightening of the throat
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Runny nose
“Any consumer who experiences an allergic reaction should seek medical attention right away,” the FDA urges.
On June 13, 2025, the same day it appears this recall was first announced, Vita Warehouse Corp., a New York firm with no apparent relation to Vitalabs, also recalled 40,000 bottles of its own vitamin B12 products from Aldi, BJ’s, Amazon, and other major retailers over peanut allergy concerns. That recall was later given a Class I risk level by the FDA, indicating “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” Whether the brands shared the same supplier is not confirmed.
While both recalls highlight the importance of safety in health supplements, the Vitalabs recall underscores the added importance of quality control when products are made to address specific health disparities. Black Girl Vitamins‘ site says the brand was created to address critical nutritional deficiencies common among Black women, including high rates of Vitamin D deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, and higher risks of heart disease, pregnancy complications, and PCOS.
While most people receive their recommended daily dose of 2.4 micrograms through food—standard servings of meat, fish, and dairy should give you all you need—supplements can be useful in instances of deficiency, which disproportionately affect older adults and those following vegetarian or vegan diets.
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