Excessive consumption of multivitamins can lead to iron poisoning, nerve damage or kidney stones, doctors warn because the outlets on which multivitamins are sold now are now not only from the pharmacy where they usually occur, but the shelves of food and fast food joints.
“Multivitamins, if they are removed at poor dosage, can cause digestive problems, interact with drugs and even lead to toxicity of fat -soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) that accumulate in the body. Excessive evaluation can also lead to specific problems, including iron poisoning. Multivitamins, especially in the case of existing health conditions, or when using other drugs, said Vikas Vashisth, MD, Internal Medicine, Silverstreak Multispecion Hospital, Delhi.
Multivitamin is a dietary supplement containing a combination of various vitamins and minerals and is designed to supplement the diet and help fill the nutritional gaps. Multivitamins are not a substitute for balanced food, but are useful in specific situations, experts say.
In India, multivitamin supplements are regulated primarily according to the 2006 Food Safety and Standards Act by the Indian Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI), which classifies them as health supplements or nutraceutics. However, if multivitamin supplement contains ingredients above the established recommended daily contribution (RDA) or, however, the demands related to the disease, it can be classified as a medicine and falls into the Act on Drug and Cosmetics Act and the CEO of the drug.
Easy availability, increasing awareness of health, increasing one -off income, urbanization, aging demography and growing acceptance of preventive health solutions cause the Indian dietary market market to spread rapidly.
Recently, the consumer products of humanity have associated with a vegetarian chain of fast food for a promotional campaign during the Navratri festival and distributed multivitamins Healthok in several countries. The aim of this partnership is to ensure that “purely vegetarian” Healthok’s “purely vegetarian” Healthok are more accessible to consumers with vegetarian lifestyle, Joy Chatterjee, vice president and sales and marketing manager, consumers division, human pharmacy.
“Since most multivitamins on the market are not vegetarian, this cooperation emphasizes a credible, 100% vegetarian choice in accordance with consumer values. There is no prescription for supplements, including Healthok, as FSSAI and available at the counter (OTC),” Mr. Chatterjee said.
In India, multivitamins are generally available to OTC. “However, if necessary at therapeutic doses, the treatment of specific shortcomings or health conditions is essential. The unintentional use-SAMOPODAPLATION without medical guidance-can mask basic problems and even cause harm,” added Mr. Chatterjee.
While OTC Sales of multivitamins in pharmacies is an established practice, they are not selling them in fast food centers or other stores that are not related to healthcare facilities, doctors warn. “Supplements are not refreshments. They aim to solve gaps in the diet and must be taken carefully. Easy and unregulated approach could lead to abuse or excessive consumption,” the doctor said.
Published – September 2025 20:33
