Compléments Alimentaires
30/11/2017 3 min

Food supplements containing spirulina: the importance of choosing trustworthy supply channels

Under the national nutrivigilance scheme, reports of adverse effects likely to be associated with the consumption of food supplements containing spirulina have been brought to the attention of ANSES. These reports led ANSES to assess the risks associated with the consumption of this type of food supplement. In the opinion it is publishing today, the Agency emphasises that products containing spirulina can be contaminated by cyanotoxins, bacteria or trace metal elements. In this context, the Agency recommends that consumers should choose trustworthy supply channels. Apart from the risk of contamination, spirulina does not seem to present a health risk at low doses. However, in light of the characteristics of spirulina and the adverse effects reported, ANSES advises against the consumption of these food supplements by individuals suffering from phenylketonuria or with an allergic predisposition. Lastly, the Agency does not consider spirulina to be a reliable source of vitamin B12 for vegan populations.

Spirulina (a cyanobacterium that is generally offered for sale in the form of a powder) has long been a traditional food consumed in several countries. In France, it is found on the market in the form of a conventional food (alone or as an ingredient) or as a food supplement, with claims for beneficial effects on health.

Several cases of adverse effects occurring following the intake of food supplements containing spirulina have been brought to the attention of the ANSES nutrivigilance scheme or published in scientific journals. The doses consumed in these cases are not precisely known, and the reported effects vary considerably: digestive disorders, allergies, muscle or liver damage.

According to the available studies, spirulina does not seem to present a health risk at low doses (up to several grams per day in adults). Nevertheless, the available epidemiological studies concern too few subjects to be able to demonstrate rare effects such as individual hypersensitivity.

Products containing spirulina can be contaminated by cyanotoxins (especially microcystins), bacteria or trace metal elements (lead, mercury and arsenic).

The Agency's recommendations for consumers

In view of the risk of spirulina becoming contaminated by cyanotoxins, bacteria or trace metal elements, the Agency recommends that consumers of food supplements containing spirulina choose trustworthy supply channels controlled by the public authorities (compliance with French regulations, traceability and identification of the manufacturer).

Furthermore, in light of the characteristics of spirulina and the adverse effects reported, ANSES advises against the consumption of these food supplements by individuals suffering from phenylketonuria (a rare genetic disease related to the accumulation in the body of the amino acid phenylalanine) or with an allergic predisposition.

Lastly, the Agency emphasises that spirulina is not a reliable source of vitamin B12 for vegans (populations avoiding consumption of products of animal origin), as it is mostly in the form of an inactive analogue. Furthermore, the consumption of 5g/d of spirulina (maximum quantity recommended by certain food supplements) provides from 7 to 8.5 mg of beta-carotene, whereas the maximum daily intake of beta-carotene from food supplements has been estimated at 7 mg/d, which should be added to spontaneous intake.

Other recommendations

In view of the risk of spirulina becoming contaminated by cyanotoxins (especially microcystins), bacteria or trace metal elements, the Agency insists on the importance of the quality of the water used in the production of the cyanobacterium spirulina and the control by producers of the different stages of production.

ANSES considers it necessary to conduct an expert appraisal to establish a threshold for microcystins in food supplements containing spirulina that takes into account other dietary intakes of microcystins, and the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.04 µg/kg/d set by the WHO for chronic exposure. In addition, in the light of this TDI, ANSES deems it necessary to reassess the limit for microcystins set at 1 µg/g for food supplements containing Klamath algae.

ANSES reminds healthcare professionals of the importance of reporting to the ANSES nutrivigilance scheme all adverse effects likely to be associated with the consumption of food supplements, and emphasises the value of setting up a joint international project on the monitoring of these effects.