When choosing vitamins for adults, read the nutrition table first: which nutrients the product contains, how much of each is in the daily dose and what percentage of the nutrient reference value (% NRV) that is. Then choose the form you will actually take every day, such as tablets, capsules or gummies.
What is a multivitamin?
A multivitamin is a food supplement with several vitamins, often with minerals as well. Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC lists 13 vitamins: A, D, E, K, C, B1, B2, niacin, pantothenic acid, B6, folic acid, biotin and B12. Which of them a product contains, and in what amounts, is up to the manufacturer, so multivitamins differ a lot.
Food supplements supplement the normal diet. They are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet.
How to read a multivitamin label
| Information | Where to find it | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Name of the food | next to the product name | "food supplement" and the nutrient categories, e.g. "with vitamins and minerals" |
| Daily dose | "Directions" | number of tablets, capsules or gummies a day |
| Amount of each nutrient | nutrition table | amount per daily dose, in mg or µg |
| % NRV | nutrition table | share of the nutrient reference value per daily dose |
| Ingredients | ingredient list | sugar or sweeteners, gelatine or pectin, allergens (emphasised) |
| Warnings | "Warnings" | maximum daily dose, who the product is not for |
Compare products per daily dose. If the dose of one product is one tablet and of another two gummies, compare the values in the table, not the number of pieces.
What % NRV and "source of" mean
NRVs (nutrient reference values) are set in Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. The NRV for vitamin C, for example, is 80 mg, and for vitamin D 5 µg. The percentage on the label shows what share of that value the daily dose provides.
A product is a source of a vitamin or mineral if it contains a significant amount of it. Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 sets this as 15 % of the NRV per 100 g; for food supplements, the daily dose is checked in practice. The same amount is the condition for a health claim for that nutrient. Nutrients below 15 % are present, but the law does not count the product as a source of them.
For substances that are not vitamins or minerals (such as inositol), no NRV is set, so the table shows "–" instead of a percentage.
Multivitamins for women and for men
NRVs on EU labels are the same for all adults, women and men. Products labelled "for women" or "for men" differ in the choice and amounts of nutrients set by the manufacturer, not in different reference values. Compare the labels, not the front of the pack.
Special situations such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, taking medication or a special diet are a reason to ask a doctor or pharmacist before choosing.
Multivitamin gummies or tablets?
Gummies need no water and taste of fruit; tablets fit more into one piece. Gummy multivitamins are often sweetened with sweeteners, so their label warns that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. We compare the forms in detail in Gummy vitamins: what they are and how to choose.
Several food supplements at once
If you take more than one food supplement, for example a multivitamin and a separate vitamin D, add up the amount of the same nutrient across all products. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set tolerable upper intake levels for many vitamins and minerals. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose of each product.
What is in f°5 Daily
f°5 Daily is a multivitamin and mineral gummy with mango flavour. The daily dose is 2 gummies (6 g) with 10 vitamins (C, D3, E, K2, B6, B12, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin), 4 minerals (calcium, zinc, iodine, chromium) and inositol. Every vitamin and mineral reaches at least 15 % of its NRV. The gummies are sugar-free and vegan.
What it does not contain: iron, magnesium, selenium and vitamins A, B1 and B2. Contains soy.
Three 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.
Every amount and % NRV is on the ingredients page. To combine Daily with other f°5 products, see the sets.
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
Does a multivitamin replace fruit and vegetables?
No. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Is a multivitamin for women different from one for men?
NRVs are the same for women and men. The differences between products come from the manufacturer's choice and amounts of nutrients, so compare the nutrition tables.
What does it mean that a product is a "source" of a vitamin?
That it contains a significant amount of that vitamin. Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 sets this as 15 % of the NRV per 100 g; for food supplements, the daily dose is checked in practice. The "source of" condition is in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Can I take a multivitamin and vitamin D at the same time?
Check how much vitamin D the two products contain together, and do not exceed the recommended doses on the labels. If you take medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
When in the day should I take a multivitamin?
If the label does not set a time, pick a fixed moment, such as breakfast. That makes it easier to take every day.
Sources
- Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements, Annex I (vitamins and minerals): EUR-Lex
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII (NRVs and the 15 % condition): EUR-Lex
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, Annex ("source of"): EUR-Lex
- Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 (consolidated text of 20 August 2025): EUR-Lex
- EFSA, dietary reference values and tolerable upper intake levels: EFSA DRV Finder