Softgel capsules may be easy to swallow, but some could be delivering more than just vitamins — including hormone-disrupting plasticisers.
Craig Russell reports for The Conversation.
In short:
- Softgel capsules often use phthalates — industrial chemicals known as endocrine disruptors — to make their shells soft and durable.
- While some phthalates like DEP are considered low-risk in small doses, others like DBP have been linked to reproductive harm and are now restricted in medications.
- Supplements aren’t held to the same safety oversight as prescription drugs, raising concerns about people unknowingly exceeding safe exposure levels, especially if they take multiple daily doses.
Key quote:
"Although phthalates in medicines are regulated, awareness is key...check ingredient labels, ask your pharmacist, or look for phthalate-free alternatives."
— Craig Russell, lecturer in pharmacy at Aston University
Why this matters:
Pop a softgel capsule and it slides down easy — no chalky aftertaste, no dry heave. But behind that silky shell could be a chemical hitchhiker. As more people turn to supplements for wellness, many could be unwittingly increasing their risk of hormone disruption, inflammation, and even heart disease — highlighting gaps in regulation and the need for better consumer awareness. In a world already saturated with endocrine disruptors — in plastics, food packaging, even dust — vitamins shouldn’t be part of the problem.
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