Demystifying Multivitamins
- By Nutrition
- Published Nov. 28, 2011
Labeling Basics: Quality Control
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is charged with providing special labeling requirements for multivitamins. To qualify as a multivitamin, the supplement must contain three or more vitamins and minerals and cannot include herbs, hormones or drugs. While a higher sticker price indicates better quality in some industries, you’re better off understanding the nutritional lingo on the label when choosing a multivitamin. “You can get a good, 100-count multivitamin for around $10,” said Ryan. “You don’t have to spend a fortune.”
Next time you head to the drug store, consider some of the basics:
Quality Control
Look for “USP” or “NSF” on the label. These agencies work to set specific standards for supplements. “This guarantees that the supplement has at least been inspected by a qualified, respected agency and that the amounts on the label correspond with the amounts in the supplement,” explained Pentz.
FILED UNDER: Inside The Magazine / Nutrition TAGS: daily value / dosage / labels / Multivitamin / vitamin supplements
