They advertise with well-known cartoon characters, have colorful packaging and are often made with fruit flavors. But children generally do not need nutritional supplements.
Many of the products advertised for children contain higher amounts of nutrients than recommended. Although many parents complain about their children’s sometimes unusual, lacking variety in their eating habits, studies show that their nutrient supply is generally considered sufficient. Only for infants and small children is it recommended that they supplement vitamin D over a certain period of time. Medicines containing vitamin D prescribed by a pediatrician are also reimbursed by health insurance companies. This does not apply to food supplements.
Although some children do not quite reach the daily recommended amounts of vitamin D and folate, as well as iron, iodine and calcium, there is still no automatic risk of nutrient deficiency. The recommended intake is calculated with a safety margin. Nevertheless, more and more nutritional supplements are being bought for children. The current IQVIA Consumer Report Pharmacy shows that sales of nutritional supplements containing several vitamins and minerals specifically for children increased by 14 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. But that’s not all: In 4 of a total of 31 products that the Karlsruhe Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office (CVUA) examined between 2021 and 2023, it found that the safe upper intake of folic acid had been completely exhausted or even exceeded. Although this does not constitute an acute health risk, excessive intake of nutrients should be avoided, according to the CVUA. With regard to other nutrients, including vitamins C, K and the B vitamins, the CVUA also criticises the dosages of many products being too high for the respective age groups.
The consumer centers also criticize this, based on repeated market checks. Most recently, in the summer of 2023, they examined a total of 33 food supplements aimed at children. 70 percent of them exceeded the daily intake recommendations of the German Nutrition Society for 4- to 7-year-olds for at least one nutrient they contained. Almost 40 percent of the products even reached or exceeded the safe maximum amounts for vitamins and minerals in food supplements proposed by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). These values apply to people aged 15 and over.
The consumer centers also criticized the fact that some food supplements come onto the market in the form of gummy bears or candy and are often advertised with a fruity flavor. This encourages consumption that exceeds the daily amount recommended by the manufacturer. Their advice to parents is therefore that children should only be given food supplements on the advice of a pediatrician.
Additional Information:
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BZfE-Newsletter Nr. 32, 7.8.2024
Further information on the topic of “nutritional supplements” on kindergesundheit-info.de:
Vitamins and Co. – Use nutrient supplements in a targeted manner
In addition to a varied and balanced diet, it is recommended that the mother and her child also take certain vitamin and mineral supplements.
