Vitamins, gummies and other supplements are easy to forget about once they are in the cupboard. But where and how you store them affects both their safety and how well they work.
Avoid heat and humidity
The bathroom cabinet is one of the worst places for supplements. Steam from showers creates heat and humidity that can break down vitamins and make gummies sticky or moldy. A kitchen cupboard away from the stove, dishwasher and sink, or a bedroom drawer, is usually better. Keep the original lid tightly closed, and leave any moisture-absorbing packet in the bottle.
Keep them out of reach of children
Gummy vitamins look and taste like candy, which makes them especially tempting to children. Some supplements, particularly those containing iron, can be dangerous in large amounts. Store all supplements up high, in a cabinet children cannot reach, and use child-resistant caps. If a child swallows a supplement or medication, contact Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away, or call 911 if they are unwell.
Follow the label
- Some products, such as certain probiotics, need to be refrigerated. The label will tell you.
- Keep supplements in their original containers so the dosage and expiry information stay with them.
- Do not combine different products into one pill organizer for long periods, as it exposes them to air and light.
Check expiry dates
Supplements gradually lose potency after their best-by date. Check your cupboard every few months and discard anything that is out of date, has changed color or smell, or has become sticky or clumped.
Dispose of old products safely
Many pharmacies and community take-back events accept unwanted supplements and medicines. If none is available, mix the contents with something unappealing, such as used coffee grounds, seal it in a bag and put it in the household trash.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about which supplements are right for you.
