Class Action Claims Qunol Extra Strength Supplements Contain Less Magnesium Than Advertised

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A proposed class action claims Qunol Minerals’ Extra Strength magnesium supplement contains significantly less magnesium glycinate than advertised.

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According to the 34-page case, defendant Qunol Minerals claims that a two-capsule serving of its Extra Strength magnesium supplement contains 420 mg of magnesium glycinate, known to be a highly absorbable form of magnesium. The suit argues, however, that it is “physically impossible” for the particular kind of capsules used by Qunol to contain the amount of magnesium glycinate represented by the company.

“In misstating the actual magnesium content of the Supplements, Qunol violates federal law and regulations designed to prevent deceptive supplement labeling and breaches the express warranty created by its labeling,” the suit charges.

In its product labeling and advertising, Qunol says that its magnesium glycinate capsules have a higher absorption rate than supplements that contain other types of magnesium, the filing relays. Moreover, the company advertises that the product’s “high absorption” magnesium “promote[s] nerve, bone, and muscle health,” “supports heart health,” and that two capsules contain 100 percent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recommended daily value of magnesium, the case says.

However, the complaint alleges that 420 mg of magnesium glycinate cannot fit into the capsules Qunol uses for its supplements. More specifically, since magnesium glycinate contains only 14.1 percent elemental magnesium by mass, it takes approximately 3,000 mg of magnesium glycinate to obtain 420 mg of magnesium, the filing calculates.

According to the case, Qunol uses “size 00” magnesium capsules that hold between 546 and 1,092 mg of powder, depending on the density.

“Yet as set forth above, the two (2) size 00 capsules Defendant uses for a recommended serving of its Magnesium Supplement cannot physically fit 3,000 mg of powder regardless of its density,” the complaint summarizes.

The case goes on to note that the supplements at issue also contain gelatin and magnesium stearate, which leaves even less room for magnesium glycinate within the capsules.

“Thus, to the extent that the Supplements contain some form of magnesium, such magnesium is not derived from magnesium glycinate and instead must come from an alternative, undisclosed source of magnesium,” the case claims.

The filing alleges that the magnesium in Qunol’s supplements may instead be in the form of magnesium oxide, which contains a higher percentage of elemental magnesium than magnesium glycinate but is “less desirable” to consumers given that it is not as easily absorbed by the body.

The lawsuit looks to represent anyone in the United States who purchased Qunol Extra Strength magnesium supplements within the past four years.

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