Sambucol Black Elderberry 5-in-1 Intensive Defense Softgels supplement bottle
Sambucol

Black Elderberry 5-in-1 Intensive Defense Softgels

What We Researched
9 active ingredients analyzed · 9 inactive ingredients decoded · 2 brand certifications checked · 1 retailer compared · Last updated: Mar 2026
73
Product Score Fair
66
Brand Score Fair

Product Analysis

Transparency Excellent

Supplement Facts

IngredientAmount% DV
Vitamin C 245.0 mg 272%
Zinc (Zinc Sulfate monohydrate) 12.0 mg
Echinacea Juice Extract (Echinacea purpurea) (Stem/Leaf) (1.07mg β-1,2-D-Oligofructofuranosides) 44.0 mg
Black Elderberry Extract (Sambucus nigra L.) (Fruit) (equicalent of 1.5g of premium Black Elderberry fruit) 30.0 mg
White Willow (Salix alba) (Stem/Bark) 77.0 mg
Bioavailability Good

Absorption Rating

  • Vitamin C Fair
  • Zinc (Zinc Sulfate monohydrate) Fair
  • Echinacea Juice Extract (Echinacea purpurea) (Stem/Leaf) (1.07mg β-1,2-D-Oligofructofuranosides) Good
  • Black Elderberry Extract (Sambucus nigra L.) (Fruit) (equicalent of 1.5g of premium Black Elderberry fruit) Fair
  • White Willow (Salix alba) (Stem/Bark) Fair
Other Ingredients Very Good

Fillers & Additives

  • Soya Oil
  • Gelatin
  • Glycerin
  • Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil Medium
  • Beeswax
  • Soy Lecithin
  • Maltodextrin
  • Caramel (Color)
  • Silicon Dioxide
Efficacy Fair

Dosage Analysis

  • Vitamin C 245.0 mg Effective
  • Zinc (Zinc Sulfate monohydrate) 12.0 mg Effective
  • Echinacea Juice Extract (Echinacea purpurea) (Stem/Leaf) (1.07mg β-1,2-D-Oligofructofuranosides) 44.0 mg Under-dosed
  • White Willow (Salix alba) (Stem/Bark) 77.0 mg Under-dosed

Supplement Facts

Ingredient Amount % Daily Value
Calories 10.0 Cal
Total Fat 0.5 g 1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Vitamin C 245.0 mg 272%
Zinc (Zinc Sulfate monohydrate) 12.0 mg
Echinacea Juice Extract (Echinacea purpurea) (Stem/Leaf) (1.07mg β-1,2-D-Oligofructofuranosides) 44.0 mg
Black Elderberry Extract (Sambucus nigra L.) (Fruit) (equicalent of 1.5g of premium Black Elderberry fruit) 30.0 mg
White Willow (Salix alba) (Stem/Bark) 77.0 mg

Other Ingredients

Inactive ingredients used in manufacturing. All rated for safety.

Soya Oil Unknown
Gelatin Safe

Forms the capsule shell that holds the supplement contents.

Glycerin Safe

Retains moisture and helps dissolve ingredients in softgels and liquids.

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil Caution

It is used as a filler or binder.

Beeswax Safe

Used as a coating and to help form softgel capsules.

Soy Lecithin Safe

Helps blend oil and water-based ingredients. Common allergen.

Maltodextrin Generally_safe

Helps carry and stabilize active ingredients. Provides bulk.

Caramel (Color) Generally_safe

It is used to add a brown color to the supplement.

Silicon Dioxide Safe

Prevents clumping and ensures consistent dosing.

Price Comparison

Price History

Tracked across major retailers. Updated periodically.

$14$13$12$11$10 $11.99
Target

Prices shown at time of last check. Click a retailer to see current price. GoodSupp is not affiliated with any retailer.

Brand Trust Report
Sambucol

Founded 1991 · San Diego, CA, United States · 14 products · sambucolusa.com/

Certifications

2 certifications
Consumerlab Verified Source
Halal Certified Verified Source

Transparency

2 claims
Third Party Testing Claim — Claimed Source

Violation History

4 incidents
Lawsuit Violating California consumer protection statutes by selling certain Sambucol Dietary Supplements without disclosing that they contain a new dietary ingredient not approved by the FDA and making misleading claims about disease prevention.2024Source
Lawsuit Falsely labeling some black elderberry products as containing a unique, proprietary black elderberry extract developed by a virologist.2023Source
Lawsuit Prominent and systematic mislabeling, and making claims that the products could help fight off viruses.2021Source
Recall Sambucol Cold & Flu Capsule2015-10-14Source
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sambucol Black Elderberry 5-in-1 Intensive Defense Softgels a good supplement?

Sambucol Black Elderberry 5-in-1 Intensive Defense Softgels received a product quality score of 73/100 in GoodSupp's independent analysis, suggesting some areas that could be improved. The product contains 9 active ingredients with 24 servings per container. Of the 9 inactive ingredients, 5 are rated safe and 1 are flagged for review. The manufacturer, Sambucol, holds a brand trust score of 66/100 with 2 verified certifications including Consumerlab, Halal Certified.

What are the ingredients in Sambucol Black Elderberry 5-in-1 Intensive Defense Softgels?

Sambucol Black Elderberry 5-in-1 Intensive Defense Softgels contains 9 active ingredients: Calories (10.0 Cal), Total Fat (0.5 g), Polyunsaturated Fat (1.0 g), Cholesterol (0.0 mg), Vitamin C (245.0 mg), Zinc (Zinc Sulfate monohydrate) (12.0 mg), and 3 more. Notable high-dose ingredients include Vitamin C at 272% DV. Each ingredient's dosage, form, and safety rating is analyzed independently in GoodSupp's full product breakdown.

Is Sambucol Black Elderberry 5-in-1 Intensive Defense Softgels safe to take?

Sambucol Black Elderberry 5-in-1 Intensive Defense Softgels has been analyzed for ingredient safety across all its components. Of 9 inactive ingredients, 5 are rated safe. 1 ingredient is flagged for review: Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil. 'Caution' doesn't mean dangerous — it indicates the ingredient has some considerations worth being aware of, such as potential sensitivities or ongoing research. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you take medications or have underlying health conditions.

Is Sambucol a trustworthy supplement brand?

Sambucol receives a brand trust score of 66/100 based on GoodSupp's independent analysis of certifications, regulatory history, and transparency practices. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in San Diego, CA, United States, the company offers 14 products in their lineup. They hold 2 verified certifications including Consumerlab, Halal Certified. Third-party certifications are independently verified and indicate the brand meets specific quality, purity, and manufacturing standards. Note: Sambucol has 4 historical regulatory incidents on record, which are factored into the trust score.

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Disclaimer: GoodSupp provides independent supplement quality analysis for informational purposes only. Scores are generated algorithmically based on ingredient profiles, brand certifications, and public records. This is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Product data is sourced from manufacturer labels and public databases. GoodSupp is not affiliated with any supplement brand.