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What did ConsumerLab discover during its multivitamin testing?
Seven out of 22 (31.8%) multivitamin and multimineral supplements chosen by ConsumerLab.com for analysis failed to earn approval. These items are labeled as NOT APPROVED within the results table. Every product was acquired through retail outlets or authorized online sellers.
Brands evaluated include Adapt Naturals by Chris Kresser, AlphaSperm, Bayer Flintstones, Bayer One A Day, Centrum, Deva, Dr. Brad Stanfield, Garden of Life, GNC, Kirkland Signature [Costco], Mary Ruth’s, Metagenics, Nature Made, Nature’s Way, Naturelo, New Chapter, NOW, Pure Encapsulations, Rainbow Light, Shaklee, Smarty Pants, Thorne, and USANA.
Testing methodologies utilized HPLC for vitamins, ICP-MS for minerals and heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium), and USP <2040> disintegration protocols for tablets.
What issues were identified in the multivitamins?
Nutrient levels were found to be low, with some containing as little as 11.8% of the labeled vitamin A.
Some products contained excessive nutrients, reaching up to four times the claimed amount of zinc and folate, and double the stated vitamin D.
Several supplements approached or surpassed the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for folate or niacin.
These findings were verified through testing at a second independent laboratory (see What CL Found and How Products Were Evaluated).
High Doses: Be aware that several products intentionally provide amounts of certain vitamins, such as niacin, that are near or above the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs), which increases the risk of toxicity when used regularly.
ConsumerLab’s Top Picks among multivitamins
Among the products that received approval during testing, including six items evaluatedselected based on formulation, dosage appropriateness, product quality, and value. (As noted in the review, some categories do not have a Top Pick.)
What should you look for in a multivitamin?
Beyond verifying quality through test results, ensure the supplement provides the appropriate amount of each essential mineral and vitamin for your specific needs. You can verify your personal requirements by consulting our RDA table and the detailed nutrient information provided in this review.
Is it worth taking a multivitamin?
Evidence suggests that multivitamins may slightly lower the risk of cataracts, modestly slow cognitive decline in individuals with cardiovascular disease, and reduce respiratory illness symptoms in older adults. Prenatal multivitamins might lower the risk of birth defects. However, there is no definitive proof that multivitamins reduce the risk of death from cancer, cardiovascular disease, or other causes (see What They Do). While multivitamins can help prevent or treat deficiencies in at-risk populations, more targeted nutritional interventions—such as those for magnesium, B-12, or iron—may be more effective.
Cite as: ConsumerLab.com Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review
Products tested in 2025 and 2026
In addition to expert testing results, ConsumerLab relies exclusively on high-quality, evidence-based information. These sources include the National Academy of Medicine, the USDA, the FDA, and peer-reviewed studies. For emerging topics, we may utilize data from pre-print journals. All content undergoes review by doctoral-level experts in toxicology, pharmacology, and chemistry, as well as medical doctors. We consistently update and medically verify our information to ensure it remains accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. The following sources are referenced in this article:
Make sure you’re choosing the best multivitamin/multimineral supplements approved in our tests!
Alphabetical list of multivitamin supplement brands compared in this review
Adapt Naturals by Chris Kresser Bio-Avail Multi
Dr. Brad Stanfield Micro Vitamin
Garden of Life Vitamin Code 50 & Wiser Women
GNC Mega Men Sport Multivitamin
Kirkland Signature Adults 50+ Mature Multi
Kirkland Signature Organic Multivitamin
Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning Multivitamin – Raspberry
Metagenics PhytoMulti Mutivitamin With Iron
Naturelo One Daily Multivitamin For Women 50+
Nature’s Way Alive! Women’s 50+
New Chapter One Daily Every Woman’s Multivitamin 55+
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E. Multivitamin
Rainbow Light High Potency Women’s One Daily Multivitamin
Smarty Pants Kids Plus Multi & Omegas – Lemon, Orange and Strawberry Banana Flavors with other Natural Flavors
You must be a member to get the full test results along with ConsumerLab.com’s recommendations and quality ratings for 28 multivitamin/multimineral supplements for women, men, and children. These include 22 supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com and 6 others that passed testing in its voluntary Quality Certification Program.
In this comprehensive review, you’ll get quality ratings, cost <a href="https://shoppixy.com/garmin-forerunner-70-vs-forerunner-170-comparison-27-feature-differences/” title=”Garmin Forerunner 70 vs Forerunner 170 Comparison: 27 Feature Differences!”>comparisons, product reviews, and you’ll discover:
Which multivitamins passed or failed our tests and why
Which multivitamins provide what you need and don’t exceed safe limits
Why many multivitamin labels list the wrong Daily Values(DV) information and how to make sure you get the right amounts
Multivitamins confirmed by tests to be gluten-free
Concerns, cautions and potential side effects with multivitamins
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