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.

2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
As InterTabac 2026 approaches, Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe, tells 2Firsts that global tobacco trade fairs are evolving beyond product display. With new nicotine categories, shifting regulation and more complex supply chains reshaping the industry, InterTabac is positioning itself as a platform for market insight, regulatory discussion and global business connection.
Special Report
Jul.02
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
China’s vape exports showed resilience in the first half of 2026 after a short-term shock from China’s export rebate adjustment. But customs data points to more than a simple recovery: the structure of growth is changing. Vaping devices and atomization hardware emerged as the strongest growth driver, while nicotine-containing vaping products remained broadly stable. Meanwhile, nicotine substitute-related products represented by 6-methyl nicotine expanded rapidly, becoming a new category to watch for both industry and regulators. After the U.S. market went through a cycle of shortages, replenishment and inventory rebuilding in 2025, China’s vape supply chain is entering a new phase of reallocation.
Special Report
Jul.20
Innovation, Insights and Networking: NUBIZ Brings the Global NGP Industry Together in Dortmund
Innovation, Insights and Networking: NUBIZ Brings the Global NGP Industry Together in Dortmund
The market for next-generation products is expanding rapidly, with vapes, e-cigarettes, pouches, snus and heat-not-burn products among the industry’s most innovative segments. As part of InterTabac, NUBIZ provides a central platform for reduced-risk tobacco and nicotine products, bringing together global leaders and newcomers from 15 to 17 September. The show combines market insights, product comparisons, networking, a high-level conference programme and exclusive side events.
Jun.03
China Tobacco Yunnan Patent Describes Cigar Flavor Granules With Encapsulation Rate Above 77%
China Tobacco Yunnan Patent Describes Cigar Flavor Granules With Encapsulation Rate Above 77%
According to public records from China’s National Intellectual Property Administration, a patent application filed by China Tobacco Yunnan Industrial Co., Ltd. for “cigar flavor granules” was published on May 12, 2026. The filing proposes purifying an ethanol extract of cigar tobacco leaves using LX-8 macroporous resin, followed by encapsulation with maltodextrin and sucrose fatty acid ester to improve smoking comfort, reduce dryness and enhance aroma release stability in reconstituted tobacco.
Jun.10
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Maduro Distributors, Inc., doing business as Loon, on July 15, 2026, alleging that the company illegally manufactured, distributed and sold flavored vapes that appeal to minors.
Jul.16
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