The landscape of dietary supplements is constantly evolving, driven by consumer demand, scientific advancements, and unfortunately, the persistent threat of adulteration. European elderberry (Sambucus nigra), a botanical ingredient that saw a meteoric rise in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its perceived immune-supporting properties, continues to be a significant player in the market. However, this enduring popularity has also made it a prime target for unscrupulous actors seeking to profit from fraudulent products. To address this ongoing challenge, the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP), under the auspices of the American Botanical Council (ABC), has released a comprehensive new guidance document designed to equip responsible companies with the tools to more effectively detect the adulteration of European elderberry products.
This critical resource, titled the "Lab Guidance Document," represents a significant step forward in safeguarding the integrity of the elderberry supply chain. It has been meticulously crafted by a panel of distinguished experts in the field of natural products chemistry and analysis. The primary authors include Oleksandr Shulha, Ph.D., a specialist in natural products chemistry and analysis based in Cherkasy, Ukraine; Gökalp Aycan, Ph.D., an expert in botanical microscopy from Anadolu University in Eskişehir, Türkiye; and Golshan Zare, Ph.D., a botanist affiliated with Hacettepe University in Ankara, Türkiye. The document’s robustness is further amplified by a rigorous peer-review process involving 17 additional seasoned professionals, ensuring its scientific validity and practical applicability.
The Elderberry Surge and the Rise of Adulteration
The demand for elderberry products experienced an unprecedented surge during the global COVID-19 pandemic. As consumers actively sought ways to bolster their immune systems, elderberry, with its long-standing reputation for such benefits, became a household name. This heightened interest led to a dramatic influx of new elderberry-based products entering the market. According to the annual Herb Market Report compiled by the American Botanical Council, the sales of elderberry products in the United States, encompassing both mainstream and natural channels, reached a remarkable $329.6 million in 2020. This strong performance continued into 2021, with sales still robust at $304.9 million.
However, the rapid expansion of the elderberry market outpaced the capacity of the existing supply chain to scale up production responsibly. This gap created an opportune environment for adulterators. Inevitably, a segment of the newly launched products were found to be substandard, either lacking in the declared elderberry content or containing undeclared, cheaper ingredients. These fraudulent practices not only misled consumers but also presented a sophisticated challenge for analytical laboratories. Adulterators began to refine their methods, developing sophisticated techniques to circumvent even basic quality control analyses, making it increasingly difficult for legitimate businesses to distinguish authentic elderberry from counterfeit alternatives.
The Persistent Threat Despite Market Shifts
While the market for elderberry products has seen a contraction from its pandemic-era peaks, it remains a substantial and attractive segment for both consumers and, unfortunately, those engaged in illicit activities. By 2025, the combined market for elderberry products had decreased to $136 million. However, even at this reduced level, the financial incentives for adulteration remained significant. The economic motivation to substitute high-value elderberry extract with cheaper, less effective materials persists, driven by the potential for substantial profit margins.
This enduring challenge was highlighted in a bulletin published by BAPP in 2023, which documented the ongoing prevalence of elderberry adulteration. The bulletin served as a stark reminder that the problem, while perhaps less visible than during the peak of the pandemic, had not disappeared.
Common Adulterants and Deceptive Practices
The "Lab Guidance Document" addresses the common adulterants that have been identified in the elderberry market. These often include extracts from black rice (Oryza sativa), which can mimic the color and some chemical properties of elderberry. Furthermore, other anthocyanin-rich plant extracts are frequently employed as substitutes. These substitutions can be particularly deceptive because they often possess a similar color profile, with blue or purple food colorants sometimes being added to further enhance the visual resemblance to genuine elderberry. These adulterants are specifically chosen to fool less sophisticated analytical tests, underscoring the need for advanced detection methods.
The Science Behind the Solution: A Multi-faceted Approach
The new guidance document provides a detailed review of the most effective chromatographic and spectrometric/spectroscopic methods. These advanced analytical techniques are crucial for dissecting the complex chemical composition of botanical materials, allowing for the precise identification and quantification of key compounds. By understanding the unique chemical fingerprint of authentic European elderberry, laboratories can more readily identify deviations indicative of adulteration.
Beyond chemical analysis, the document also delves into the realm of genetic testing, which relies on DNA analysis to confirm the botanical identity of the source material. This method offers a complementary approach to chemical analysis, providing an additional layer of assurance. Crucially, the guidance document also incorporates original research evaluating the utility and limitations of both macroscopic (visual examination without magnification) and microscopic (examination using a microscope) tests. While these methods can offer initial indications, their effectiveness is often enhanced when used in conjunction with more sophisticated analytical tools.
Expert Endorsements and the Importance of Vigilance
The release of the guidance document has been met with strong support from key figures in the botanical research and supplement industries. Stefan Gafner, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of ABC and Director of BAPP, emphasized the continued relevance of elderberry in the U.S. market. "Despite a slow decline in retail sales since reaching record numbers during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, elderberry products are still among the most widely used herbal dietary supplements in the U.S. market," Dr. Gafner stated. He further elaborated on the driving forces behind adulteration: "The popularity of the ingredient combined with the competitiveness of the U.S. herbal dietary supplement market may prompt some unethical suppliers to sell fraudulent elderberry extracts adulterated with undisclosed lower-cost blue-colored materials."
Dr. Gafner underscored the critical need for rigorous testing, advising, "Therefore, any company purchasing elderberry extracts must use fit-for-purpose laboratory methods to determine ingredient authenticity and detect possible adulteration. The new [guidance] has the most up-to-date information for the selection of reliable analytical methods conveniently summarized in one document." This statement highlights the document’s practical value for businesses aiming to maintain product integrity.
Mark Blumenthal, Founder and Executive Director of ABC and Founder of BAPP, further reinforced the significance of this initiative. "BAPP is the first scientific program that has published a peer-reviewed document confirming the adulteration of elderberry ingredients sold in the international market," Blumenthal noted. "Now we’ve gone a step further by reviewing and assessing the fitness and reliability of 22 laboratory analytical methods to confirm the identity of authentic elderberry." This statement underscores BAPP’s pioneering role in addressing botanical adulteration and the comprehensive nature of their latest publication.
Broader Implications for the Supplement Industry
The implications of this new guidance document extend beyond the immediate concern of elderberry adulteration. It signifies a broader commitment within the industry to transparency, scientific rigor, and consumer safety. As the dietary supplement market continues to grow and diversify, the challenges of ensuring ingredient authenticity will only intensify. Proactive measures, such as the development and dissemination of robust analytical guidance, are essential for maintaining consumer trust and fostering a sustainable, ethical industry.
The document’s publication also serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between scientific institutions, industry organizations, and regulatory bodies. By pooling expertise and resources, these entities can collectively address complex issues that threaten the integrity of the entire supply chain. For companies that rely on botanical ingredients, investing in sophisticated analytical capabilities and adhering to best practices for ingredient sourcing and testing is no longer merely a matter of compliance but a fundamental prerequisite for long-term success and consumer confidence.
The ongoing efforts to combat adulteration in ingredients like elderberry are crucial for preserving the reputation of the dietary supplement industry. As consumers increasingly seek natural solutions for their health and wellness needs, they must be able to rely on the quality and authenticity of the products they purchase. This new guidance document represents a vital tool in achieving that critical objective.
This article was written by Hank Schultz, Senior Editor at SupplySide Supplement Journal, published on September 22, 2026. The original publication date for the core information was September 22, 2026.
