What is the controversy with Ovrload gummies?

October 17, 2025 •

4 min read

Following a massive surge in the popularity of creatine gummies in early 2025, one brand, Ovrload, found itself at the center of a significant scandal when independent testing revealed its products contained a fraction of the creatine advertised on the label.

Quick Summary

An analysis of the Ovrload creatine gummies controversy, detailing how independent lab tests exposed misleadingly low creatine content and other labeling issues, sparking widespread concern and a company investigation.

Key Points

Influencer Investigation: Fitness influencer James Smith conducted independent lab tests on Ovrload creatine gummies, revealing they contained significantly less creatine than advertised.
Underdosed Product: Independent testing by multiple parties confirmed the underdosing, with some tests showing creatine levels as low as 0.084g per gummy, far below the 1.5g claimed.
Misleading Labeling: The gummies were found to be ineffective for providing a standard daily creatine dose, costing consumers money and delaying their fitness goals.
Ingredient Mistake: A labeling error on some batches listed allulose, a sweetener banned in the UK, as an ingredient, further damaging consumer trust.
Company Response: In the fallout, Ovrload paused sales, launched an investigation, and promised a new manufacturing partner, formula, and a transparency portal.
Industry-Wide Problem: The Ovrload scandal brought wider attention to the issues of quality control and mislabeling in the creatine gummy market, affecting other brands.
Product Formulation Issues: Experts noted that creatine is difficult to formulate accurately in gummy form, often degrading during the manufacturing process.

The Rise of Creatine Gummies and Ovrload's Popularity

Creatine, a popular and well-researched supplement known for boosting strength and muscle growth, has long been a staple in powdered form for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. In recent years, a new, more convenient product—creatine gummies—began to gain immense traction, especially through social media and influencer marketing. Ovrload, a UK-based supplement brand, capitalized on this trend with its 'Crealyte' gummies, which it marketed as a convenient and tasty alternative to traditional powders. The company cultivated a strong social media following, using founder stories and targeted ads to build brand loyalty and drive sales. However, this rapid rise was soon met with equally rapid controversy, exposing fundamental issues with the product.

The Exposure: Influencers and Independent Testing

The controversy erupted in early 2025 when British personal trainer and fitness influencer James Smith, who had previously considered investing in Ovrload, posted a video revealing his own independent lab test results. His findings suggested the gummies contained significantly less creatine than the 1.5g claimed on the label. The shocking discrepancy was quickly corroborated by others.

The Underdosing and Ineffectiveness

Multiple independent and third-party tests confirmed the initial findings, revealing stark differences between the labeled and actual creatine content. A rival supplement company, Known Nutrition, also conducted tests that showed drastically low amounts. The core of the scandal was the alleged deceptive dosage:

Claimed Dose: Ovrload claimed 1.5g of creatine per gummy.
Required for Effect: A standard effective daily dose is around 5g of creatine.
Independent Test Findings: Test results varied but consistently showed significantly lower amounts. One test, cited by James Smith, found just 0.084g per gummy, meaning a consumer would need to eat over 50 gummies to reach the daily 5g dose. Another test found 0.849g, still well short of the labeled amount.
Financial Impact: To get the labeled dose (let alone an effective dose) required an exorbitant number of gummies, costing customers hundreds of pounds per month. As sports nutritionist Jess Hillard told The Irish Sun, customers were not only wasting money but also time and progress toward their fitness goals.

The Allulose Labeling Error and Regulatory Issues

As the dosage scandal gained momentum, another issue came to light regarding product labeling. Reports surfaced that some of Ovrload's creatine gummy batches incorrectly listed 'allulose' on the ingredient list. Allulose is a low-calorie sugar alternative banned for use in food supplements in the UK, where Ovrload operates. Ovrload responded by stating that allulose was never in the product and that the inclusion on the label was a "packaging error" that had been rectified. This mistake, combined with the dosage inconsistencies, further eroded consumer trust, leading to questions about other potential ingredients and the brand's due diligence.

The Manufacturer's Response and Aftermath

In response to the mounting public pressure and damning test results, Ovrload took several actions:

Paused Sales: The company temporarily halted all sales of its creatine gummies to conduct an internal investigation.
Appointed External Testing: Ovrload engaged an external, industry-accredited testing laboratory to determine the facts.
Announced Changes: Following the investigation, the company announced plans to resume sales with a new manufacturer in Europe and an updated formula.
Promised Transparency: The brand also committed to adding a "transparency portal" on its website, allowing users to view the exact contents of its gummies.

Broader Industry Scrutiny and Technical Challenges

Beyond Ovrload, the scandal prompted wider scrutiny of the entire gummy supplement market. Supplement manufacturer NOW Foods tested a dozen other popular creatine gummy brands and found similar issues with underdosing or lack of active ingredients. Experts highlighted the inherent challenges of creating effective gummy supplements. Unlike powders or capsules, gummies are difficult to dose accurately due to the even distribution of active ingredients and potential degradation during the manufacturing process, which often involves heat. Kamal Patel of Examine.com described the task of making a good creatine gummy as "a lot harder" than formulating a powder.

Comparison of Traditional Creatine Powder vs. Ovrload Gummies


Feature	Traditional Creatine Powder	Ovrload Creatine Gummies (as tested)
Cost	Relatively inexpensive per serving.	Extremely expensive per effective dose due to underdosing.
Efficacy	Highly effective and proven by research, with a consistent 5g daily dose standard.	Ineffective due to significantly underdosed creatine content.
Formulation	Stable and easy to dose consistently.	Difficult to dose accurately; active ingredients can degrade during heating.
Convenience	Requires mixing with water, potentially gritty.	Initially perceived as convenient and tasty; the opposite of convenient when over 50 are needed daily.
Consumer Trust	High, assuming reputable brand and third-party testing.	Severely damaged due to deceptive marketing and underdosing.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale for Consumers

The controversy with Ovrload gummies serves as a cautionary tale about the supplement industry. It underscores the critical importance of independent third-party testing and transparency, especially for products like gummies that are susceptible to formulation and dosing issues. For consumers, the scandal highlights the need to be wary of products that sound too good to be true and to rely on reputable brands that can verify the contents of their supplements. The path forward for Ovrload and the wider gummy supplement market will depend on a renewed commitment to honesty and verifiable product quality to rebuild the trust that was so quickly eroded. The broader message remains clear: effectiveness and integrity should always outweigh convenience and flashy marketing tactics.

For more information on supplements and safety, refer to reputable health resources such as the Mayo Clinic on creatine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ovrload creatine gummies were found to contain significantly less creatine than the 1.5g per gummy claimed on their label. Independent tests confirmed the products were severely underdosed and therefore ineffective for delivering a therapeutic dose of creatine.

The controversy was brought to public attention primarily by British fitness influencer and personal trainer James Smith, who had the gummies tested independently and posted the results online in a video.

After the test results were revealed, Ovrload temporarily paused all sales of its creatine gummies, launched an internal investigation, and hired an external testing lab. It later announced plans for a new manufacturer and a transparency portal.

Yes, some product batches were also found to have a labeling error, incorrectly listing allulose—a sweetener banned in the UK—as an ingredient. Ovrload claimed this was a mistake and allulose was never in the product.

Experts suggest that heat and moisture involved in gummy manufacturing can cause creatine to degrade into creatinine, a waste product. It is also challenging to ensure an even distribution of the active ingredient across all gummies.

Yes, following the Ovrload scandal, tests conducted by supplement company NOW Foods and other entities revealed that many creatine gummy brands on the market fail to meet their label claims, indicating a broader industry problem.

Consumer confidence has been shaken. It is recommended to choose products that are certified by independent, non-profit organizations like US Pharmacopeia or NSF International to ensure they have been tested for safety and accurate labeling.