The article that claimed that the disposable vape range, Elf Bar 600, contains an illegal level of nicotine has been found to have used a misleading headline and scaremongering tactics to mislead readers and create anxiety among consumers.
Elf Bar 600s are disposable vapes with a fully enclosed tank and built-in battery, designed to provide a short-term vaping solution for events such as festivals, formal occasions, and nights out. While the article title claims that the Elf Bar 600 range contains an illegal level of nicotine, it has been confirmed that some batches of the watermelon flavour were mistakenly fitted and filled with a non-standard 3ml e-liquid chamber, which is not compliant with UK regulations.
Testing has verified that the affected watermelon flavour Elf Bar 600 products are safe to use, and the nicotine strength is still compliant with the legal limit of 20 mg/ml. The maximum e-liquid capacity permitted in the UK is 2ml, and Trading Standards has warned that this strict limit must not be exceeded under any circumstances, as it is designed to protect children from starting to use these products. However, the quality of the product is not compromised in any way, and it remains both safe and legal.
ELFBAR, the manufacturer of Elf Bars, initially cast doubt on the Mail’s test process and suggested the products may have been fakes. But a spokesperson later confirmed that some batches of the Elf Bar product had been overfilled in the UK.
Consumers who purchased the ‘non-compliant’ Elf Bars were actually getting more product for their money. Therefore, it is important for the media to report accurately and responsibly to prevent the spread of misinformation and undue alarm. The Elf Bar 600 disposable vape range remains a safe and legal product, and the company is committed to ensuring its quality control processes are reviewed to prevent such a situation from happening again.
ELFBAR has agreed with the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommendation that the affected products be withdrawn from the UK market and will be removing all non-compliant Elf Bar 600s. Although the affected products are safe and sold internationally, they are not compliant with UK regulations which limit e-liquid capacity.
A spokesperson from Go Smoke Free, a company that distributes Elf Bar products, said: “Working with our distributors and other supply chain partners, we are moving quickly to replace all stock to ensure 100% that no product incorporates the 3ml capacity tank. The new batches with a capacity of 2ml will arrive in the UK within 30 days. While a highly regrettable situation, we should stress that this is an e-liquid volume issue and is not related in any way to product quality. Therefore, it does not compromise the safety of the product. As a brand that is committed to the highest levels of quality control, we will be reviewing our production processes to ensure that such a situation is not repeated.”
It is important for the public to be informed about product compliance and safety, but it is equally important for the media to report accurately and without sensationalism. The Mail’s article has caused undue alarm and fear among consumers.
Elf Bar, which entered the market in 2021, sells 2.5 million Elf Bar 600s per week in the UK, representing two out of three disposable vape sales. These devices are priced from £4 each. The Elf Bar 600 disposable vape range remains a safe and legal product, and the issue is an e-liquid volume issue that does not compromise the safety or quality of the product.
