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Toxic Levels in Blackmores B6 Supplements Spark Legal Action

Jomanda Heng
Jul 23
2 min read

Australian supplement giant Blackmores is under fire after facing a potential class action lawsuit over its vitamin B6 content in popular supplements like Super Magnesium+ and Ashwagandha+. The allegations? Excessive levels of vitamin B6—reportedly up to 29 times the recommended daily intake—cause serious nerve damage in long-term users.

Lead plaintiff Dominic Noonan-O’Keeffe, who used these products for years, claims he was left with persistent neurological symptoms. And he’s not alone. Since the announcement, hundreds of consumers have come forward reporting similar side effects, such as fatigue, nerve pain, muscle spasms, and even difficulty walking.

Contrary to speculation, this isn’t an environmental crisis—it’s a formulation and regulatory oversight issue. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is essential for the body, but in large amounts—particularly over long periods—it becomes neurotoxic.

Research shows that daily doses above 50 mg, especially over several months or years, can lead to peripheral neuropathy, a condition that affects nerve signaling in the limbs. While vitamin B6 is found naturally in foods, the problematic levels stem from over-the-counter supplements with minimal labelling warnings, often stacked across multiple products, unknowingly consumed together.

Despite mounting reports, regulatory action only gained traction recently. Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) received over 170 reports related to B6 toxicity. Yet, the maximum allowable daily limit was only revised from 200 mg to 100 mg in 2023, with a new pharmacist-only classification (Schedule 3) planned by February 2027.

Is Blackmores to Blame?

While Blackmores claims it followed all regulations in place at the time, lawyers argue that adequate warnings were lacking, especially when some supplements contained more than 50 mg of B6 per dose. The company has pledged to comply with upcoming TGA guidelines but remains under intense scrutiny as Polaris Lawyers investigates the class action.

Some speculated whether rising toxicity in our food chain or environment played a role. The answer: no. The issue here is not a byproduct of climate or soil changes, but of human formulation and distribution choices. It’s about how much B6 is added into supplements—intentionally or through stacking—and the ease with which these high-potency products are made available.

Concern	What’s Being Done
Supplement Regulation	TGA is revising dosage caps and labelling requirements, and planning stricter classification by 2027.
Consumer Awareness	Advocates are calling for more transparent labelling, clearer dosage warnings, and public education on supplement stacking.
Corporate Accountability	Legal actions like the one against Blackmores aim to hold companies responsible for long-term health risks.

The Blackmores B6 saga serves as a stark reminder: not all supplements are inherently safe, especially when overconsumed or misformulated. As the wellness industry continues to boom, stronger safeguards must be put in place to prevent health risks, because the dose, after all, makes the poison.

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