A German consumer protection group has found serious issues in nearly all tested supplements designed for children. Experts warn that many of these products could do more harm than good, urging parents to reconsider giving supplements without medical advice.
The Berlin-based organization Stiftung Warentest recently conducted a study on 18 popular children’s supplements, comparing their ingredients with official health guidelines. Their investigation revealed alarming results. Seventeen out of the 18 products contained concerning nutrient levels, with some even exceeding safe limits for adults.
High Dosages Pose Risks to Children
The researchers found that 15 supplements contained vitamin and mineral amounts above the safe intake for children. Shockingly, five products had vitamin A levels exceeding the maximum daily allowance for adults. High doses of vitamin A can lead to toxicity, affecting vision, bone growth, and overall health.
Stiftung Warentest concluded that most of these supplements offer no real benefit and may even endanger children’s health. Their final assessment stated that these products are “at best pointless and at worst hazardous.”
Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) supported these concerns. The institute confirmed that healthy children who eat a balanced diet do not need supplements. According to their experts, no vitamin or mineral supplement can replace a varied and nutritious diet. Instead of improving health, unnecessary supplements may increase the risk of overdose or imbalance.
The Growing Popularity of Supplements in Europe
Despite these warnings, the supplement industry continues to expand. Many parents believe that vitamins and minerals will improve their children’s immunity, energy, or focus. Marketing strategies from supplement companies reinforce these ideas, often promising better health with daily use.
A 2022 study revealed that 93 percent of adults in 14 European Union countries had used supplements in the past year. While the study focused on adults, it highlighted the growing trend of self-prescribed supplementation. Many people took these products for general wellness, even if they had no diagnosed deficiency.
Children’s supplements follow a similar pattern. Many parents give their children daily multivitamins without medical consultation, assuming that more vitamins mean better health. However, experts stress that unnecessary supplementation could lead to excess intake of certain nutrients, resulting in side effects like nausea, stomach issues, and, in severe cases, organ damage.
Misleading Marketing Tactics
Stiftung Warentest’s study also looked at how supplement companies advertise their products. The team found that many brands rely on emotional appeals rather than scientific evidence. Marketing campaigns often feature happy, energetic children alongside claims that supplements support brain function, growth, and immunity.
Some of these promotional messages may even violate legal advertising rules. The watchdog noted that certain companies exaggerate health benefits without sufficient proof. By presenting supplements as essential, these brands encourage parents to buy unnecessary products.
Germany’s BfR criticized these marketing tactics, saying they contribute to consumer confusion. Parents already receive mixed messages about nutrition and health, making it difficult to determine what is truly necessary for their children.
Medical Experts Weigh In
Dr. Berthold Koletzko, a pediatric nutrition expert and president of the European Academy of Pediatrics, responded to Stiftung Warentest’s findings. He agreed that most children do not need supplements if they follow a well-balanced diet.
However, Koletzko acknowledged that some children may require supplementation in specific situations. For example, kids who follow vegetarian or vegan diets, have certain medical conditions, or live in regions with limited sunlight might lack key nutrients like vitamin D or B12.
A 2017 study found that 3.4 percent of German children aged 6 to 17 followed vegetarian diets. Since then, the number has likely grown, raising concerns about possible nutritional gaps in some children’s diets. In such cases, medical guidance is essential to ensure proper supplementation.
Parents Should Consult Doctors Before Giving Supplements
Even when supplements seem necessary, Koletzko warned that not all products are created equal. He pointed out that gummy vitamins, a popular choice among children, often contain high sugar levels. These sweet, candy-like vitamins can lead to overconsumption, increasing the risk of vitamin overdose.
Excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals can cause digestive problems, headaches, and even long-term health issues. Some supplements, such as those high in iron, can be dangerous if taken in large amounts.
Koletzko strongly advised parents to seek medical advice before giving any supplement to their child. “Select supplements carefully and always consult your child’s pediatrician first,” he said.
The Bottom Line
The findings from Stiftung Warentest serve as a warning to parents. While supplement companies promote their products as essential for children’s health, most healthy kids do not need them. A balanced diet provides all the necessary vitamins and minerals, and unnecessary supplements may carry risks rather than benefits.
Parents who are concerned about their child’s nutrition should talk to a doctor before introducing any supplements. Making informed decisions based on medical advice, rather than marketing claims, is the best way to support a child’s health.
