Counterfeit supplements can appear on major online marketplaces such as Amazon and TikTok Shop. Since dietary supplements are not pre-approved by the FDA or marketplaces before they are sold, the responsibility for ensuring accurate labeling and product integrity ultimately rests with the company marketing and selling the product.
In this article, we examine a real-world case involving a product marketed as “L-Lysine + Monolaurin 1:1 Ratio” that appears to mimic Natural Cure Labs packaging and label claims. We submitted a sample to an independent laboratory for analysis. The findings were definitive: the capsules contained primarily starch, with no meaningful amounts of L-lysine or monolaurin detected (details below).
Jump to:
- How to Spot Counterfeit Packaging
- What Did Independent Laboratory Analysis Show?
- What did the FTIR graph show (in simple terms)?
- How Natural Cure Labs tests their products
- What Is Included in Finished Product COAs?
- What Our Independent Testing Confirmed
- How can you reduce the risk of buying a counterfeit online?
How Can You Spot Counterfeit Supplement Packaging?
When we examined the bottle sold on TikTok Shop, the most striking detail was how closely it resembled our legitimate product.
You can see a breakdown in this video: https://www.tiktok.com/@naturalcurelabs/video/7570363505518382391
In the photos attached you can see the lookalike products closely imitate the overall look of our bottle:
- Same product name style (“L‑Lysine + Monolaurin”)
- Similar label layout and color gradients
- Similar “1:1 ratio” positioning and “immune system support” wording
- Similar capsule-count presentation and “dietary supplement” placement
The counterfeit bottle claims the same formula strength: 600 mg L‑lysine HCl + 600 mg monolaurin per 2 capsules (matching the headline claim a shopper would expect from this product category).
The counterfeit label states “Made in China.”
What Did Independent Laboratory Analysis Show?
We purchased the product directly from TikTok Shop and submitted it to an independent third-party laboratory for testing. In cases like this, what truly matters is whether the contents match the label claims - not how convincing the packaging appears. The results were surprising.
The claim on the label
The counterfeit label claims:
- L‑lysine HCl: 600 mg per 2 capsules
- Monolaurin (glycerol monolaurate): 600 mg per 2 capsules
The results
- L‑lysine HCl: <1 mg per 2 capsules
- Monolaurin (glycerol monolaurate): <1 mg per 2 capsules
The capsules were tested using three independent techniques:
- FTIR (identity screening)
- HPLC (to quantify L‑lysine)
- GC (to quantify monolaurin)
All three techniques pointed to the same conclusion:
- L‑lysine (HPLC): < 1 mg per 2 capsules (functionally absent vs. a 600 mg claim)
- Monolaurin (GC): < 1 mg per 2 capsules (functionally absent vs. a 600 mg claim)
- FTIR note: the “inside white powder is pure starch based on its FTIR spectrum” (directly stated in the lab report)
That is less than 0.17% of the claimed amount for each ingredient (1 mg ÷ 600 mg = 0.00167). When a label claims hundreds of milligrams and the lab finds “< 1 mg,” the practical meaning is simple: the advertised actives are not meaningfully present.
What did the FTIR graph show (in simple terms)?
FTIR is often described as a “molecular fingerprint” test. It helps answer a basic question: What substance does this sample most closely resemble?
In this case, the independent lab’s written conclusion was clear and direct: starch.
That conclusion aligns with well-documented FTIR characteristics of starch, including:
- A broad O-H absorption band around ~3300 cm⁻¹
- Strong carbohydrate-related absorption bands in the ~1150-1000 cm⁻¹ range
Just as importantly, if the capsules truly contained meaningful amounts of monolaurin (an ester-based compound), the spectrum would typically show prominent ester-related absorption signals - including strong carbonyl features in the characteristic IR carbonyl region.
Those ester-specific features were not consistent with the sample tested.
How Does Natural Cure Labs Test Their Products?
At Natural Cure Labs, we use a layered quality system called our Triple Testing Methodology. This approach is built around U.S. dietary supplement CGMP rules, which require manufacturers to verify:
- Identity
- Purity
- Strength
- Composition
Here is how our system works:
1. Raw Material Testing (Before Production)
Before we manufacture any product, ingredients go through a quarantine stage. We verify:
- Identity
- Purity
- Contaminants
Quality begins with controlling what comes in the door.
2. In-Process Testing (During Manufacturing)
During production, we perform checks to ensure:
- Correct capsule weights
- Proper batch records
- Consistency throughout the process
This helps ensure the final product matches the label.
3. Final Product Testing (Independent Accredited Lab)
Finished products are tested by an independent laboratory.
The lab referenced in this article is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 through ANAB.
This accreditation standard is used to demonstrate laboratory competence and reliable results.
What Is Included in Finished Product COAs?
Certificates of Analysis (COAs) typically include:
- Assay testing (confirming ingredient amounts match label claims)
- Heavy metals screening (using ICP-MS methods)
- Microbial safety testing
These tests help verify product safety and accuracy.
What Did Our Independent Testing Confirm?
For our Monolaurin + L-Lysine Capsules, we submitted a finished product batch to an ISO-accredited independent laboratory for full verification testing.
Label Claims Per Capsule:
- 300 mg L-Lysine HCl
- 300 mg Monolaurin
Independent Lab Results:
- 324 mg L-Lysine
- 376 mg Monolaurin
Both ingredients tested above label claim but within acceptable specification ranges, meaning the product delivers what it promises.
The report also confirms:
- Identity verification
- Disintegration in 3 minutes
- Microbial safety
- Heavy metals within strict limits
Disclaimer: Some manufacturing information is intentionally blurred.
For verification questions, contact: info@naturalcurelabs.com
How can you reduce the risk of buying a counterfeit online?
This case is a reminder that a convincing label does not guarantee what’s inside - especially when a product is unusually cheap, comes from an unknown seller, or looks “too similar” to an established brand.
A few practical steps can help:
- Buy from trusted sources when possible. If using a marketplace listing, verify the seller and look for clear company identification and quality documentation.
- Ask for proof that matches the bottle in your hands. A useful COA should have identifiers that match what you bought (lot/batch information, product name, and relevant tests).
- Treat dramatic price drops as a quality risk. Very low pricing can indicate cost-cutting on raw materials, testing, or manufacturing controls.
Finally, remember the core regulatory reality: FDA generally does not approve dietary supplements or labeling before they are marketed, and firms are responsible for ensuring products are not adulterated or misbranded.
