What Is the Shelf Life of a Multivitamin?
As a parent, you care deeply about your child’s well-being. With so many children’s multivitamin
options on the market, you may struggle to choose one that best meets your little one’s needs.
Beyond traditional chewable tablets and gummies, multivitamin drops can help augment your
infant’s nutritional intake. This guide explains what you need to know about the latest
supplements on the market, including products for infants, toddlers, and older children. You’ll also
learn about beneficial preservative-free options in organic children’s vitamins.
Preservative-Free
Most multivitamins are designed for storage in kitchen cabinets, pantry shelves, or medicine
cabinets. Shelf lives of one to two years are typical for these products. However, this isn’t true for
all children’s multivitamins. Some, especially organic liquid formulas, may only last for around
three months. Others may require refrigeration because they don’t contain preservatives.
To understand why a preservative-free formula is ideal, it’s worth examining the common
preservatives present in many multivitamin supplements. Even if a product doesn’t specifically
mention preservatives on its label, it could still contain one or more of several common
compounds:
• Benzoic acid
• BHT/BHA
• Calcium propionate
• Potassium Sorbate
• Propyl gallate
• Sodium benzoate
• Sodium nitrate
• Sorbic acid
The FDA has classified these compounds as “Generally Recognized as Safe.” However, some
people may be sensitive to them or experience allergic reactions after consuming them. Research
on their health effects is ongoing, but some evidence links them to issues such as headaches,
heart palpitations, behavioral changes, and upper respiratory issues.
Some formulas may also contain disodium EDTA, a chelating agent sometimes used to stabilize
a product’s composition. Consumed in high concentrations, it can lead to diarrhea, fever, low
blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting. Given that this compound is a penetration enhancer, it
may be best to avoid products containing it altogether.
With this in mind, you may want to choose preservative-free products for your child. Look for
immune support kids, newborn multivitamins, and chewable vitamins without these common
compounds.
Refrigeration Needed
Some chemical compounds present in children’s supplements extend their shelf lives and avoid
the need for refrigeration. Yet it’s worth weighing the costs and benefits of these products. Every
person’s body is different, and your children are no exception. With the potential risks posed by
many preservatives, choosing a preservative-free formula is best. Some, such as organic
newborn multivitamin drops, may need refrigeration to ensure their contents remain fresh. When
buying any infant, toddler, or children’s nutritional supplements, check their labels and carefully
follow dosing and storage instructions.
Healthy Choices for Your Child
Preservative-free vitamins are safe and impactful supplement options for your children. Besides
lacking many common chemicals found in traditional formals, these products ensure that your
child gets several vital nutrients needed for healthy growth and development. Reading labels is a
start, but knowing where to shop and which brands to trust are both key to sourcing the best
products. While some have limited shelf lives and may require refrigeration, their preservative-
free formulas are much safer and more beneficial for your little ones.
