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.

PMI’s Smoke-Free Business Accounts for 43% of Net Revenues in Q1 as Full-Year EPS Guidance Rises
PMI’s Smoke-Free Business Accounts for 43% of Net Revenues in Q1 as Full-Year EPS Guidance Rises
On April 22, 2026, Philip Morris International released its first-quarter 2026 results. The report showed net revenues of $10.146 billion, up 9.1% year on year; adjusted diluted EPS of $1.96, up 16.0%; and smoke-free products accounting for 43% of total net revenues. Based on first-quarter performance, the company raised its 2026 full-year adjusted diluted EPS forecast to $8.36 to $8.51, or $8.11 to $8.26 excluding currency.
Apr.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK Vaping Products Duty to Raise £565 Million by 2030/31
UK Vaping Products Duty to Raise £565 Million by 2030/31
The UK will introduce Vaping Products Duty on all vaping liquids from October 1, 2026, with government revenue forecast to rise from £135 million in 2026/27 to £565 million by 2030/31.
Jun.18
Cambodia Moves to Draft New Tobacco Control Strategy Targeting Illicit Products and E-Cigarette Spread
Cambodia Moves to Draft New Tobacco Control Strategy Targeting Illicit Products and E-Cigarette Spread
Cambodian Health Minister Cheang Ra has called for the development of a tobacco control strategy for 2027–2031, with the goal of reducing tobacco use by 30% by 2030. The directive was issued during a Tobacco Product Control Committee meeting in Phnom Penh. Priority areas include reducing tobacco use, protecting the public from secondhand smoke, tackling illegal and counterfeit tobacco products, and preventing the spread of e-cigarettes.
Apr.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
 BAT Raises Growth Outlook for Smokeless Products as Velo and Vuse Gain Momentum
BAT Raises Growth Outlook for Smokeless Products as Velo and Vuse Gain Momentum
British American Tobacco (BAT) has raised its growth outlook for smokeless products, forecasting “mid-teens” growth for its new category portfolio, including vaping and nicotine pouch products, while global cigarette volumes are expected to decline further.
BAT
Jun.02
2Firsts Hosts UK Vape Duty Stamp Compliance Exchange in Shenzhen
2Firsts Hosts UK Vape Duty Stamp Compliance Exchange in Shenzhen
2Firsts held a UK vape duty stamp compliance exchange in Shenzhen on May 14, bringing together representatives from nearly 20 companies. The session addressed Vaping Products Duty, duty stamp applications, UK agency qualifications and warehousing, while introducing 2Firsts Compliance Solutions’ UK service.
Events
May.17
CBP and FDA Seize 18 Million Illegal Vapes Worth $175 Million in Maritime Cargo Operation
CBP and FDA Seize 18 Million Illegal Vapes Worth $175 Million in Maritime Cargo Operation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that more than 18 million illegal e-cigarettes valued at over $175 million were seized during “Operation Red Mist,” a joint enforcement initiative involving the U.S. Coast Guard and the FDA. The operation primarily targeted maritime vape shipments originating from China and focused on combating illicit importation, transportation, and distribution activities.
Regulations
May.14