Gummy vitamins are food supplements in the form of chewable gummies that contain vitamins and often minerals. They differ from tablets in form, taste and ingredients, so the most important thing when choosing is the label: which nutrients they contain, how much of each, how many gummies make the daily dose and what they are sweetened with.
What are gummy vitamins?
In EU law, gummy vitamins are usually food supplements: foods that supplement the normal diet. The pack of a food supplement must say "food supplement" and name the categories of nutrients that characterise the product, for example "with vitamins and minerals".
To be chewable, a gummy needs a gelling agent. This is usually gelatine (animal origin) or pectin (plant origin, from fruit). For taste it needs sugar or sweeteners and a flavouring. The nutrients are only a small part of each gummy's weight, so the daily dose is usually two or more gummies.
Gummies, tablets, capsules or powder
All four forms can contain the same nutrients. They differ mainly in how you take them and how much fits into one dose.
| Gummies | Tablets | Capsules | Powder | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How you take them | chew | swallow with water | swallow with water | mix with water |
| Taste | fruit flavour | none, or bitter | none | depends on the product |
| Water | not needed | needed | needed | needed for mixing |
| Sugar or sweeteners | almost always | rarely | rarely | depends on the product |
| What to check | sugar, sweeteners, gummies per day | tablet size | gelatine or plant shell | scoop, taste, solubility |
Gummies need no water and can be taken anywhere, so they suit people who dislike tablets. The trade-off is space: nutrients are only a small part of a gummy, so with gummy products it is worth checking which nutrients are missing or present in smaller amounts than in tablets.
What to check on the label
Before you buy, read the nutrition table and the ingredient list. These five points tell you the most:
- The amount of each nutrient per daily dose. The label must state the amount of each vitamin and mineral per recommended daily dose, not just a list of names.
- The percentage of the nutrient reference value (% NRV). NRVs are reference values set in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and are the same for all adults. Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 sets 15 % of the NRV per 100 g as a significant amount; for food supplements, the daily dose is checked in practice. Such an amount is the condition for a "source of" statement.
- The number of gummies per day. Compare products per daily dose, not per gummy.
- Sugar or sweeteners. "Sugar-free" means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Products with more than 10 % added polyols (maltitol, sorbitol, erythritol) must carry the warning "excessive consumption may produce laxative effects".
- Gelling agent and allergens. Pectin means the gummy contains no gelatine. Allergens are emphasised in the ingredient list.
Read the text around the product too. Foods, food supplements included, may only use authorised health claims (Regulation (EU) No 432/2012). Statements that a food prevents, treats or cures a disease are not allowed (Article 7(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011).
Sugar, sweeteners and laxative effects
Many gummy vitamins contain sugar or glucose syrup. You will find the amount of sugars in the nutrition table, either per daily dose or per 100 g.
Sugar-free gummies use sweeteners. Common ones are polyols (maltitol, sorbitol, erythritol) and steviol glycosides. Excessive consumption of polyols may produce laxative effects, which is why the warning is mandatory above 10 % added polyols. Do not exceed the dose on the label.
How many gummy vitamins a day?
As many as the label says. For many gummy multivitamins the daily dose is two gummies; some products use more. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
Because gummy vitamins look like sweets, the warning "Keep out of reach of young children" matters even more. Keep the jar closed, dry and cool.
What is in f°5 Daily
f°5 Daily are mango flavour gummies. The daily dose is 2 gummies (6 g) with 10 vitamins, 4 minerals and inositol. They are sugar-free (sweeteners: maltitol, erythritol, sorbitol, steviol glycosides) and vegan (gelling agent: pectin). One jar holds 60 gummies, for 30 days.
| Per 2 gummies (6 g) | Amount | % NRV* |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D3 | 25 µg | 500 % |
| Vitamin B12 | 17.2 µg | 688 % |
| Vitamin C | 30 mg | 38 % |
| Vitamin E | 18.8 mg | 157 % |
| Vitamin K2 | 75 µg | 100 % |
| Vitamin B6 | 2 mg | 143 % |
| Niacin | 8 mg | 50 % |
| Pantothenic acid | 3 mg | 50 % |
| Folic acid | 400 µg | 200 % |
| Biotin | 150 µg | 300 % |
| Calcium | 200 mg | 25 % |
| Zinc | 2.2 mg | 22 % |
| Iodine | 40 µg | 27 % |
| Chromium | 35 µg | 88 % |
| Inositol | 24.7 mg | – |
*NRV = nutrient reference value, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. – = no NRV established.
Every vitamin and mineral reaches at least 15 % of its NRV. For three of them we state the authorised health claims, word for word from Regulation (EU) No 432/2012:
- Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
What f°5 Daily does not contain: iron, magnesium, selenium and vitamins A, B1 and B2. Contains soy.
Warnings (f°5 Daily). Chew 2 gummies a day. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. A varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important. Keep out of reach of young children. Excessive consumption may produce laxative effects.
Frequently asked questions
Are gummy vitamins as good as tablets?
The form alone does not tell you how much of a nutrient you get. Compare the amount and % NRV per daily dose: a gummy and a tablet with the same amount on the label contain the same nutrient and differ in how you take them, taste and other ingredients.
Do gummy vitamins contain sugar?
Some do; others are sugar-free and use sweeteners. The ingredient list and the nutrition table show which is which. Products with more than 10 % added polyols carry the warning that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects.
Are gummy vitamins vegan?
Only those that use a plant gelling agent such as pectin instead of gelatine and have no other ingredients of animal origin. Check the ingredient list or the "vegan" mark.
What does % NRV on the label mean?
% NRV shows what share of the nutrient reference value the daily dose provides. NRVs are set in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and are the same for all adults.
When in the day should I take gummy vitamins?
The label usually does not set a time. The easiest is a fixed moment, such as breakfast, so you do not forget.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, Annex III (polyol warning) and Annex XIII (NRVs, 15 %): EUR-Lex
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims, Annex ("sugar-free", "source of"): EUR-Lex
- Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, list of permitted health claims (consolidated text of 20 August 2025): EUR-Lex
- Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements: EUR-Lex