Bodega peptide vials fail lab tests, exposing gaps in US market

Laboratory testing of four injectable peptide products purchased at a Brooklyn bodega has revealed that none contained the active ingredients listed on their labels. The findings, published by WIRED, highlight significant regulatory gaps in the United States’ rapidly growing peptide market, which is estimated to be worth up to US$3 billion. The samples, acquired for a total of US$376.20 at the Mr. Green bodega on Bedford Avenue, included PT-141, BPC-157, NAD+, and retatrutide, substances marketed for everything from weight loss to injury recovery.

The vials were sent to Finnrick, an Austin-based startup that acts as a middleman for independent peptide testing. The results indicated that while the samples contained low levels of heavy metals and endotoxins, they lacked the specific compounds claimed on their packaging. Marco Krause, chief executive officer of the laboratory that performed the tests, noted that the negative results suggested the vials were either mislabelled or had been corrupted beyond recognition, potentially due to improper storage. Peptides are sensitive to temperature changes and typically require refrigeration to maintain their integrity.

The surge in popularity for these products has been driven by endorsements from high-profile figures, including US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and podcaster Joe Rogan. However, many of the buzziest peptides have not undergone the typical regulatory approval process for drugs, and some are not legally sold for human consumption in the US. Sellers frequently use the label “research use only” to shield themselves from legal liability, despite marketing the products directly to consumers. This practice has allowed a fragmented supply chain to develop, with many brands potentially relying on the same questionable upstream vendors.

Further scrutiny has been cast on the industry by other independent tests. Jeff Colhoun, founder of the research-peptide vendor directory Peptide Critic, purchased peptides from a nearby smoke shop and sent them to a different laboratory. The lab was unable to positively identify the substances, suggesting widespread supply chain issues. INDR Labs, the vendor in question, did not respond to requests for comment, but its website began requiring login credentials shortly after WIRED reached out. The company had previously cut off public access to its certificates of analysis, which it claimed were provided by Vanguard Laboratory, a claim denied by Vanguard’s spokesperson.

The lack of rigorous oversight has led to potential safety risks for consumers. A woman died earlier this year after receiving a peptide injection from an unlicensed medical spa in the Bronx, while a man in South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced to six years in prison for selling illegally imported and adulterated “research use” peptides. Fred Mills, a pharmacist and executive at the nonprofit Americans for Safe and Effective Medicines, argued that the FDA needs to shut down these black markets. He warned that consumers purchasing peptide products at convenience stores should consult with a physician first, as the traditional safeguards of the pharmaceutical sales world, such as barcoding and visual inspections, are often absent.

The FDA has recently taken steps to loosen regulations and has warned companies about marketing drugs directly to consumers or making false claims regarding compounded GLP-1 products. However, the agency did not answer questions about whether it has taken enforcement action against brick-and-mortar sellers of peptides labelled as research-only. Darshan Kulkarni, an attorney focused on pharmaceutical regulatory compliance, suggested that the relatively low number of enforcement actions is related to the current administration’s attitude that regulation stifles innovation. As major telehealth platforms like Hims and Mochi prepare to expand their peptide lines, the findings suggest that investors and consumers alike face considerable uncertainty regarding product purity and safety.