NATCP launches official inspection due to food safety risk and misleading consumer information

The National Authority for Trade and Consumer Protection (NATCP) and the Department of Consumer Protection of the Pest County Government Office are conducting an official inspection of the product MYCO GUMIVITAMIN sold under the brand name Drops of Nature.

The investigation was based on a public interest report which drew the attention of the authorities to advertising in social media (TikTok, Facebook). In the videos, published under the user name "Myco-Hungary", the product is presented as a product to reduce the symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit, hyperactivity, excessive need for exercise, difficulties in managing time). There are currently more than 30 such ads on the platform.

On the Hungarian website (https://mycomagyarorszag.com), the information accompanying the product includes claims such as: ADHD symptom relief, balance, digestive improvement, mental health, stress reduction, energy boost - but these claims go beyond the health claims that can be legally made for foods, as it is prohibited to attribute disease prevention, symptom relief or cure effects to foods.

The Hungarian name of the product on the website is misleading, as the composition of the product does not contain any vitamins. Its main ingredients are various mushrooms and an extract of the root of the plant Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). The official control has revealed that the product is not only a matter of concern because of the information given about the product, but also because of the ingredients. It contains several mushrooms - such as Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd (Lepketapló), Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilát (Chaga) - which, when used as ingredients in the food category, are considered "novel foods" not only in Hungary but also throughout the European Union. These food ingredients can only be used in foodstuffs after a specific authorisation procedure, which is currently not the case for these mushrooms, and their use is therefore illegal.

The recommended daily amount of Ashwagandha extract (500 mg) is also above the level considered safe in Hungary. According to the negative list issued by the National Centre for Public Health and Pharmacy (Nemzeti Népegészségügyi és Gyógyszerészeti Központ, NNGYK), the daily allowable amount of the herbal substance would be 250 mg. Moreover, due to the concentration of the extract used, the actual amount could be even higher, which poses a serious food safety risk. Symptoms of overdose may include: vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, thyroid problems.

The appearance and flavour of the product, as well as misleading information, can encourage overconsumption, which increases the health risk.

Furthermore, the website does not include the manufacturer's or distributor's details, which are required by law. In addition, exaggerated positive customer reviews also indicate manipulation.

The official investigation is ongoing - purchase of the product is not recommended!

As the marketing of the product is likely to be a cross-border activity, the implementation of regulatory measures (blocking of website and community advertising) may be more time-consuming. Therefore, the Authority reminds the public not to buy or consume MYCO organic & functional mushroom gummies (MYCO Gumivitamin) marketed under the brand name Drops of Nature!

If you have a health complaint after consuming the product, contact your GP and inform the NATCP.

Important advice for a safe shopping experience:

- Don't fall for the miracle advertisements on social media.

- Do not buy from a website where the distributor is unknown, the information is incomplete or the reviews are manipulated.

- Do not make a rash decision on the basis of a "good price"!

Natural ingredients are no guarantee of safety - especially for sensitive consumer groups (children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mother, people taking medication)!