ELFBAR 600 e-cigarette Nicotine exceeded: UK supermarkets remove products

Feb.17.2023
ELFBAR 600 e-cigarette Nicotine exceeded: UK supermarkets remove products
ELFBAR 600 e-cigarette's nicotine content exceeded limits and caused major retailers to recall and apologize for the incident.

On February 6th, the UK Daily Mail reported that the ELFBAR 600 electronic-cigarette in watermelon flavor contained excessive levels of nicotine. As a result, three major UK supermarket chains removed the product from their shelves and one ELFBAR wholesaler recalled the product. On February 10th, ELFBAR met with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and issued a statement apologizing and promising to recall the non-compliant products. The MHRA had previously stated in a response to 2FIRSTS that ELFBAR had promised to recall the related products until they meet regulatory requirements.


On February 15th, 2FIRSTS editors contacted and interviewed 20 electronic cigarette wholesalers in the UK regarding an incident. Only three of them were willing to be interviewed.


All three wholesalers stated that they have not yet received a recall notice for the ELFBAR 600 product.


A wholesale specialist at a high-end London distributor of e-cigarette products has told 2FIRSTS that "overdosing" of e-liquid is a fairly common problem, not limited to ELFBAR products. The nicotine concentration in ELFBAR products remains at 2% and within acceptable limits, so the overdosing is simply a case of consumers getting slightly more liquid for their money. This can actually benefit the wholesale industry, allowing consumers to purchase more product for the same price.


At the same time, he also stated that the company's ELFBAR 600 product inventory is currently sufficient, and all are compliant products.


According to a report from retail industry publication Betterretailing, ELFBAR has issued an apology letter stating that it is working around the clock with all of its supply chain partners to replace all inventory and ensure that no products containing pods with a 3ml capacity are available in the UK. A new batch with a 2ml capacity is expected to arrive in the next 30 days.


2FIRSTS informed the wholesale commissioner of the news and he responded by saying, "Although the 'excessive standard incident' has not had any impact on us at present, this is still good news. We hope that this incident will force the compliance process for all products.


In addition, two wholesale companies, Deep Vaping UK and Vape Distribution, were also interviewed over the phone. Both companies stated that they have not received any requests to recall their products. The person in charge at Vape Distribution said that exceeding the nicotine limit is illegal and they hope that all the products they receive are compliant.


Furthermore, on the official website for ELFBAR in the UK (elfbar.co.uk), the homepage banner features the ELFBAR600 product and the watermelon flavor is still available for purchase. As of press time, five supermarket chains have removed the related product from their shelves. These five supermarket chains control over 50% of the market share in the UK.


Source: elfbar.co.uk


Have ELFBAR dealerships not received recall notices because the products are in compliance and do not require a recall, or has ELFBAR failed to follow through on their recall commitment? 2FIRSTS will continue to monitor and provide updates on the situation.


Related reading: "Compilation of articles about ELFBAR 600 product removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Global Tobacco Control Faces Regional Adaptation Test as Nicotine Markets Evolve, Asian Specialist Says
Global Tobacco Control Faces Regional Adaptation Test as Nicotine Markets Evolve, Asian Specialist Says
As e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches expand across global markets, a central question is gaining urgency: can tobacco control rely on a universal policy model? In an interview with 2Firsts, Asian public health and addiction medicine specialist Dr. Rashidi Mohamed bin Pakri Mohamed says Western experience remains relevant, but policies must be adapted to local culture, healthcare systems, enforcement capacity, illicit markets and clinical evidence.
Jul.08
From Nicotine Salts to Cocrystals: China’s Shenzhen Huabao institute explores a more stable form for sustained nicotine release
From Nicotine Salts to Cocrystals: China’s Shenzhen Huabao institute explores a more stable form for sustained nicotine release
China-based Shenzhen Huabao Collaborative Innovation Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd. has filed a patent application for a nicotine-ascorbic acid cocrystal, exploring a new solid-state form of nicotine. The patent proposes applications across e-liquids, heated tobacco sticks, oral tobacco, chewing tobacco and snuff. In nicotine pouch tests disclosed in the filing, cocrystal formulations showed less than a 6% decline in nicotine content after three months of accelerated storage and a release profile combining early-stage release with sustained delivery over 60 minutes. The filing reflects exploration of nicotine forms beyond conventional nicotine base and nicotine salts.
Aug.13
FDA Foreign Tobacco Registration Proposal Could Strengthen ENDS Import Oversight, Azim Chowdhury Says
FDA Foreign Tobacco Registration Proposal Could Strengthen ENDS Import Oversight, Azim Chowdhury Says
FDA’s proposed rule requiring foreign tobacco manufacturers to register establishments and list products is more than routine paperwork, Keller and Heckman LLP partner Azim Chowdhury told 2Firsts. He said it could strengthen FDA’s import enforcement, inspections and market surveillance. Chinese e-cigarette OEM/ODM manufacturers, specification developers, brand owners and component suppliers may need to review their roles, product data and U.S. market authorization status.
Special Report
Jun.29
Product | SKE Launches FRESA PRO in the U.S., Introducing Fresh Lock Technology for E-Liquid Management in High-Capacity Vapes
Product | SKE Launches FRESA PRO in the U.S., Introducing Fresh Lock Technology for E-Liquid Management in High-Capacity Vapes
Shenzhen SKE Technology has launched the FRESA PRO in the United States, a high-capacity rechargeable disposable vape featuring Fresh Lock electromagnetic valve supply control technology. The device combines a claimed capacity of up to 40,000 puffs, dual mesh coils, dual output modes and a transparent tank design. The launch reflects the high-capacity disposable vape segment’s shift from puff-count competition toward improved e-liquid management and device-level experience.
Aug.03
Product | Republic Technologies Launches ZIG Nicotine Pouches, Expanding Beyond Traditional Tobacco Accessories
Product | Republic Technologies Launches ZIG Nicotine Pouches, Expanding Beyond Traditional Tobacco Accessories
Republic Technologies UK has entered the nicotine pouch market with ZIG Nicotine Pouches, marking the company’s expansion beyond traditional tobacco-related accessories into smoke-free nicotine products. The product is expected to enter UK retail channels from August 2026, including convenience stores, supermarkets and tobacco retailers. The launch includes six flavors and three nicotine strengths: 8mg, 12mg and 17mg.
Market
Jul.21 by 2Firsts Perspectives
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey analysis, saying about 2.01 million U.S. middle and high school students currently used any tobacco product; among current youth e-cigarette users, unauthorized disposable brands including Geek Bar, Elf Bar, Lost Mary and Raz had high reported shares, potentially making them a focus for future enforcement.
Jun.24