The supplement industry has a transparency problem. Walk down any supplement aisle and you'll see bold claims on the front of every package — but the real story is on the back, in the fine print. Learning to read a supplement label is one of the most empowering things you can do for your health.
Red Flag #1: Proprietary Blends
This is the biggest one. A "proprietary blend" means the manufacturer has grouped multiple ingredients together under one total weight — without telling you how much of each individual ingredient is in the product.
Why do companies do this? Sometimes to protect a genuinely unique formula. More often, it's to hide the fact that expensive ingredients are included at trace amounts (known as "fairy dusting") while cheap fillers make up the bulk of the blend.
What to look for: Every ingredient should have its own clearly listed dosage. If you see "Proprietary Blend: 2,500mg" followed by a list of 12 ingredients with no individual amounts, walk away.
Red Flag #2: Artificial Sweeteners and Colours
Sucralose, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), and artificial food dyes are common in mainstream supplements. While they're technically "safe" in small amounts, many people prefer to avoid them — and there are clean alternatives (like stevia and natural flavours) that work just as well.
What to look for: Check the "Other Ingredients" section at the bottom of the label. This is where sweeteners, colours, fillers, and flow agents hide.
Red Flag #3: Under-Dosed Key Ingredients
A label might list an impressive-sounding ingredient, but the amount matters. For example, magnesium is clinically effective at doses of 200-400mg, but some supplements include just 10-20mg — enough to put on the label, not enough to do anything meaningful.
What to look for: Research the effective dose ranges for the key ingredients in any supplement you're considering. Then check whether the product actually delivers those amounts.
Red Flag #4: No Third-Party Testing
Third-party testing means an independent lab has verified that what's on the label is actually in the product — and that nothing harmful (heavy metals, contaminants) is present. Companies that skip this step are essentially asking you to trust them blindly.
What to look for: Certifications like NSF, Informed Sport, or USP. Or, at minimum, a statement that the product undergoes independent lab testing with COAs (Certificates of Analysis) available on request.
The Electrobite Standard
We built Electrobite to pass every one of these tests. Every ingredient is individually dosed and clearly listed. Zero proprietary blends. Zero artificial sweeteners or colours. Every batch is third-party tested. Because if you're putting something in your body every day, you deserve to know exactly what it is.
See the full ingredient breakdown on our Science page, or learn more about the philosophy behind BareBuilt Nutrition.