Written by
Louise W Lu, PhD, MPH, BMLS
Written/Reviewed by
Schynell Coutinho, Registered Dietitian, Master of Dietetics
In July 2025, Australian supplement giant Blackmores faced a class action lawsuit over its vitamin B6 products. Multiple consumers reported symptoms of neurotoxicity—numbness, tingling in hands and feet, and difficulty walking. What’s alarming is their shared experience: most were simply taking one B-complex tablet a day, consistently, without realising that this tiny supplement may have long exceeded the body’s safe threshold.
In a media interview, one plaintiff revealed that he began taking Blackmores supplements in May 2023 (which contained high doses of VB6), simply to support his health before becoming a father. But within a few months, he developed serious neurological issues—fatigue, muscle spasms, hypersensitivity, and eventually partial loss of sensation.
The truth is far more nuanced—VB6 exists in six different forms, and the one you’re taking is what truly determines the risk.
This lawsuit has sparked wide public concern over VB6 safety, especially among those who’ve been taking B-complex supplements daily as part of their routine. Many are now asking:
- Is VB6 really safe?
- Which form of VB6 is in the B-complex I’m taking?
- Is the dose too high? Could long-term use cause problems like theirs?
If you also take B-complex every day, and have recently experienced foot tingling, finger swelling, or unusual cold sensitivity and unsteadiness…
We’ll break down: Why did Blackmores' product cause problems? How many types of VB6 exist? Who’s really to blame—and how should you choose?
Jump to Sections:
1｜VB6 Is Not a Single Substance, But a “Family”
You might think “Vitamin B6” refers to a specific compound, and that you only need to pay attention to the dosage when supplementing. But in reality, VB6 is not a single substance—it’s more like a “family” of six different members, each with distinct sources, metabolic paths, bioactivity, and safety profiles.
Three Sources: Which Type of VB6 Are You Taking?
1. VB6 from Natural Foods
This type of VB6 is mainly derived from fresh foods, such as:
- Pyridoxine (PN) from plant sources — found in bananas, nuts, whole grains;
- Pyridoxamine (PM) and Pyridoxal (PL) from animal sources — found in fish, meat, and liver.
These forms are naturally present in food, come in modest doses, and are gradually converted into active forms in the body, making them very low in toxicity.
2. VB6 from Synthetic Supplements
The majority of VB-complex, multivitamins, and energy drinks on the market use:
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Pyridoxine HCl)
While it’s cost-effective and stable, long-term high-dose use may lead to accumulation in the body—especially in the bloodstream—potentially causing neurotoxicity. This is the core issue behind the Blackmores class action case.
3. VB6 Converted Inside the Body
Once consumed, these VB6 precursors are metabolized in the liver into truly “active forms”:
- Pyridoxamine-5-Phosphate (PMP) and Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (PLP)
Among them, PLP is the only fully active form responsible for essential functions like neurotransmission, amino acid metabolism, and red blood cell formation. Notably, the body maintains tight regulation over PLP levels, making it less likely to cause toxicity. Some high-end VB6 supplements use PLP directly for this reason.
To help you better understand the differences between the six VB6 forms, we’ve compiled this comparison chart:
✅ Quick Reference: Comparison of 6 VB6 Forms by Source & Risk Level
| VB6 Form | Source & Description | Active Form? | Requires Conversion? | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyridoxine (PN) | Plant-based foods such as bananas, nuts, grains | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (converted to PLP) | ✅ Safe: low levels in food, gradual conversion |
| Pyridoxamine (PM) | Animal-based foods like fish, meat, liver | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (converted to PMP) | ✅ Safe: essential biological role, low risk |
| Pyridoxal (PL) | Found in meats and liver, converts to PLP | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (converted to PLP) | ✅ Safe: naturally present, well-regulated metabolism |
| Pyridoxine HCl | Common in supplements (VB-complex, multivitamins, Blackmores) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (converted to PLP) | ⚠️ High Risk: can accumulate in blood, may cause neurotoxicity |
| Pyridoxamine-5-Phosphate (PMP) | Converted from PM; involved in amino acid metabolism | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Safe: intermediate active form, tightly regulated |
| Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (PLP) | Final active form; liver converts or directly provided by supplements | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Safe: active form with feedback regulation |
If your VB6 supplement is in the “Pyridoxine HCl” form and you’re taking it daily, across multiple products, and for a long period—then you might unknowingly be walking the line of potential risk.
In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at:
❗What exactly went wrong with Blackmores’ VB6?
❗Why did people experience numbness and “walking on cotton” sensations?
2｜Why Is the Risk from Blackmores' VB6 Especially High?
You may have heard the saying: “It's fine to take lots of water-soluble vitamins—they'll just be excreted.”
But the Blackmores VB6 class action has caused many to rethink that belief.
Many of those affected were simply taking one VB-complex supplement per day for several months—yet gradually began experiencing numbness, tingling in their hands and feet, and unsteady walking. Why?
Reason 1: The product uses “Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (HCl)”
This is a common synthetic form of VB6—very stable and inexpensive—and widely used in many VB-complex products.
Blackmores’ product contains 100mg per tablet, which is dozens of times higher than what we typically need from food each day (about 1–2mg). If taken continuously without breaks, the body may struggle to handle it.
Reason 2: This type of VB6 isn’t excreted right away and can accumulate in the body
Although water-soluble, high doses of pyridoxine are not fully eliminated and may slowly accumulate in the bloodstream. Over time, this can affect the nervous system, causing symptoms like:
- Tingling or numbness in fingers and toes,
- A feeling of unsteadiness while walking,
- Or heightened sensitivity to light touch.
These symptoms don’t show up suddenly, and can easily go unnoticed if they progress slowly.
Reason 3: Many people “stack” VB6 supplements without realizing it
People often take a VB-complex, plus a multivitamin, plus fortified energy drinks...
These products may all contain VB6, and the total dose can become excessive. Because side effects may not be immediate, the risks are often overlooked.
To be clear: Blackmores’ VB6 product isn’t “toxic” in itself, but rather:
It uses a form that is more prone to accumulation at high doses, and people with nerve sensitivity need to be particularly cautious.
As long as you understand what form of VB6 you're taking and for how long, there’s no need to panic.
Up next, we’ll explore — Are there milder, safer forms of VB6 you can choose?
3｜How to Read Labels and Know If Your Supplement Is Safe
✅ Step 1: Identify the Specific Form of VB6
Open your supplement bottle or box, and find the “Vitamin B6” label. Check whether it specifies the exact form of B6. Common label terms include:
| Label Might Say | Actual Ingredient | Risk Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Pyridoxine Hydrochloride / HCl | Synthetic VB6 | High doses long-term → Risky |
| Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (PLP) | Active form of VB6 (more expensive) | Stable metabolism → Low risk |
| Vitamin B6 (no form specified) | Usually defaults to Pyridoxine HCl | Check with the manufacturer |
✅ Step 2: Estimate Your Total Daily Intake (Don't Just Look at One Bottle)
You may not only be taking one “VB-complex” product. Many people also consume:
- A daily multivitamin
- Protein powders, energy drinks, or “nutritional shakes”
- Fortified breakfast cereals or milk
👉 Check the labels of everything you consume daily, and add up the VB6 amount in milligrams from each:
| Product | VB6 Amount (mg) |
|---|---|
| VB-complex supplements | 25–100 mg |
| Multivitamins | 1–20 mg |
| Meal replacement powders / drinks | 0.5–5 mg |
▶ If your total daily VB6 intake exceeds 200mg from all sources, consider using VB-complex supplements every other day instead.
✅ Step 3: Watch for Subtle Body Signals
Your body may be quietly sending you warnings:
- Do you feel numbness in your feet even when wearing flat shoes?
- Do your fingers tingle or feel numb in the morning?
- Are your calves cramping at night or is your skin overly sensitive to touch?
👉 If you have these mild symptoms and have been taking high-dose VB6 long-term, consider pausing for 1–2 weeks and consult a doctor to evaluate nerve function.
To make it easier for you, we've also created a VB6 reference table to help you quickly assess whether the form and dosage you're taking is appropriate:
| Form of VB6 | Common Sources | Typical Supplement Dose | UL / Clinical Dose | Notes & Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyridoxine (PN) | Foods (plant-based, e.g. grains, bananas) Mostly from natural food |
Food: 0.5–1.5 mg | No UL from natural sources | ✅ Safe from food, well converted, low toxicity |
| Pyridoxamine (PM) | Foods (animal-based, e.g. meat, fish) Rare in supplements |
Food: 0.5–1 mg | No UL from natural sources | ✅ Safe in food form, low risk |
| Pyridoxal (PL) | Foods (animal liver) Mainly natural |
Food: 0.5–1 mg | No UL from natural sources | ✅ Safe profile, used in internal metabolism |
| Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Pyridoxine HCl) | Common in VB-complex, multivitamins | Typical: 10–50 mg Some products: 100–200 mg |
UL: 100 mg/day ⚠️ Risk increases after 3+ months |
⚠️ Clear neurotoxicity evidence; the Blackmores case involved this form |
| Pyridoxamine-5-Phosphate (PMP) | Intermediate metabolite in body Rare in supplements |
Trace levels Rarely supplemented |
No official UL | ✅ Generally safe, rarely used in products |
| Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (PLP / P5P) | High-end supplements (active VB6) Final active form in body |
Common: 25–50 mg Therapeutic: 100–200 mg |
No specific UL Recommended: ≤100–110 mg/day |
✅ Active form, less prone to accumulation, suitable for sensitive or high-risk individuals |
Authors:
Schynell Coutinho
Registered Dietitian, Master of Dietetics
Schynell is a New Zealand Registered Dietitian under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003). She is passionate about empowering individuals through holistic, evidence-based nutrition care. Drawing on clinical experience and cultural sensitivity, she helps clients reach their health goals through collaboration, education, and practical solutions. A strong advocate for multiculturalism and health equity, Schynell believes in a people-first approach that honours both science and compassion.
