What is an ethical multivitamin?
We asked ourselves this question and couldn’t find the answer so we’ve spent a year finding out what makes an ethical multivitamin.
Here’s the top 5 things to look for in an ethical multivitamin or food supplement:
1. Plastic Free
Most companies don't use plastic-free packaging because it isn't widely available but that just means consumer and brand pressure is needed to make the industry change. It also means we need to adjust our expectations around storage and shelf-life. Our plastic-free, paper packaging doesn't provide the same protection as plastic or glass and therefore we need to be very careful how our products are stored.
2. Palm Oil Free
It's scary how many products contain palm oil or palm oil derivatives. A common one in food supplements is magnesium stearate. Often the stearate (stearic acid) is sourced from palm oil. Magnesium stearate is often used a flow agent to ensure ingredients flow properly. We use alfalfa and rice extract as a natural plant alternative to magnesium stearate.
3. Vegan
Always look for vegan capsules and vegan vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the most effective form but often vegan multivitamins will use vitamin D2, which is synthetic and less effective. The vegan form of vitamin D3 is sourced from lichen, this is the one we think you should choose!
4. Fully Recyclable
The ultimate goal should be to create packaging that is actually going to be recycled, not theoretically! Packaging which isn't easily or widely recyclable will often end up in landfill. Also be aware that some compostable and biodegradable packaging only biodegrades under very specific conditions like high temperatures and the presence of certain substrates. We think it’s better to use materials that can be recycled!
5. Effective
For a supplement to be ethical it needs to contain effective ingredients in well absorbed forms, otherwise what’s the point?! We’ve scoured through the research and available ingredients to ensure that we’re using the best and most natural nutrients like vitamin C from acerola cherry and methylfolate, the natural form of folate found in foods.
Check out our ethical supplement range here.