Hidden sugar and sweeteners in kids’ vitamins: what to check on the label
Gummy vitamins can add sugar to your child’s day. Here is how to find added sugar on the label, what the common sweeteners are, and which ingredients need extra care.
Quick answer
Check the Added Sugars line on the Supplement Facts panel. FDA rules require it when a supplement has a measurable amount of added sugar. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams of added sugar a day for kids, and none before age 2.
Sugar free gummies use other sweeteners. The FDA has no questions about the safety conclusions for certain stevia and monk fruit extracts. Sugar alcohols can have a laxative effect in large amounts, and xylitol is dangerous for dogs.
Find the sugar on the label
Look at the Supplement Facts panel, not the front of the bottle. FDA rules require supplements to list Total Sugars and Added Sugars when they contain a measurable amount.
Then check the serving size. If a serving is 2 gummies, the sugar on the label is for 2 gummies.
The ingredient list tells you the type of sugar. Look for words like cane sugar, glucose syrup or tapioca syrup.
How much added sugar is too much for kids
The American Heart Association recommends kids eat no more than 25 grams of added sugar a day, about 6 teaspoons. It recommends no added sugar at all for children under 2.
| Added sugar in a daily serving | Share of the 25 gram limit |
|---|---|
| 1 gram | 4% |
| 3 grams | 12% |
| 5 grams | 20% |
| 8 grams | 32% |
Juice, cereal and snacks count toward the same daily limit, so the vitamin is only one part of the total.
Common sweeteners in sugar free gummies
| Sweetener | What it is | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Stevia (steviol glycosides) | Extract from stevia leaves | FDA has no questions about the safety conclusions for certain purified extracts |
| Monk fruit (Luo Han Guo) | Extract from monk fruit | Same FDA status as the stevia extracts |
| Sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol and maltitol | A class of sweeteners FDA permits as sugar substitutes | Do not promote tooth decay or cause a sudden rise in blood sugar, FDA says. Large amounts can have a laxative effect. |
| Sucralose, aspartame and acesulfame potassium | High intensity sweeteners | Approved by FDA as food additives |
FDA requires foods to carry the warning “Excess consumption may have a laxative effect” when people could reasonably eat 50 grams of sorbitol a day (21 CFR 184.1835). Check how much sugar alcohol a serving has, and watch for an upset stomach in sensitive kids.
Ingredients that need extra care
Xylitol, if you have a dog
The FDA warns that xylitol can have devastating effects on dogs. It lists children’s chewable vitamins among the products that may contain it. Signs in dogs include vomiting, weakness, staggering and seizures. Keep vitamins where your dog can’t reach them.
Iron
If a supplement has iron, FDA requires this warning on the label: “Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6.” Keep these products locked away.
Gummies that look like candy
Kids can mistake gummies for candy. Store every gummy vitamin up high and out of sight. If your child eats too many, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 in the US. It connects you to your local poison center, 24/7 (HRSA).
How to compare kids’ vitamins
Check Added Sugars per serving
Use the table above to see what share of the 25 gram daily limit one serving uses.
Use the serving size for your child’s age
Follow the serving size on the label for your child’s age, and do the sugar math for that serving.
Find the sweetener in the ingredient list
Sugar, a sugar alcohol, stevia or monk fruit will be listed by name.
Check for iron
If the label has the iron warning, store the bottle where kids can’t reach it.
Ask your pediatrician first
Ask whether your child needs a vitamin at all, and which nutrients matter for your child.
FAQ
Are gummy vitamins bad for kids’ teeth?
FDA says sugar alcohols do not promote tooth decay. If your child takes a gummy with sugar, ask your dentist about timing and brushing.
Is stevia safe for kids?
FDA has no questions about the safety conclusions for certain purified stevia extracts used in food. Its sweetener page does not give separate advice for children.
Can sugar free gummies cause diarrhea?
They can if they use sugar alcohols and your child eats a lot of them. FDA requires a laxative warning on foods when people could reasonably eat 50 grams of sorbitol a day.
How many grams of added sugar can a child have?
No more than 25 grams a day, and none before age 2, according to the American Heart Association.
What should I do if my child eats a whole bottle of gummies?
Call Poison Help right away at 1-800-222-1222 in the US. Have the bottle with you, and say if the product has iron.
Sources
- American College of Cardiology: summary of the AHA statement on added sugars in children
- 21 CFR 101.36: Nutrition labeling of dietary supplements
- FDA: Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food
- 21 CFR 184.1835: Sorbitol
- FDA: Paws Off Xylitol; It’s Dangerous for Dogs
- 21 CFR 101.17: Food labeling warning statements (iron)
- HRSA: Poison Help
This page is general information, not medical advice. Check with a doctor before you start a supplement for your child. Medical disclaimer
