Kroger Children's Chewables With Vitamin C

Our assessment

The evidence shows that Kroger Children's Chewables With Vitamin C is formulated to provide calcium, a mineral essential for growing bodies. Our assessment: this product can help fill dietary gaps, but you must be aware of the specific risks and interactions associated with calcium supplementation. The data does not provide a specific dosage for this product, so we rely on general calcium guidelines [NIH ODS].

How it works

Think of calcium as a building block for your child's bones and teeth. It supports bone mineralization, helping to deposit minerals into the skeleton for strength. Additionally, calcium plays a key role in neuromuscular relaxation, which means it helps muscles relax and nerves signal properly after they contract [NIH ODS].

Safety profile

The FDA received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplement categories, though specific report counts for this product are not available. For calcium specifically, safety concerns include that high intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. Very high levels of calcium in the blood and urine can cause poor muscle tone, poor kidney function, low phosphate levels, constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, frequent need to urinate, abnormal heart rhythms, and a high risk of death from heart disease [NIH ODS] [FDA data].

Our recommendation

Data not available for a specific daily dose for this product. However, because calcium can reduce the absorption of several medications — including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin — you should give this supplement at a different time than any of those medicines [NIH ODS]. Always consult your child's pediatrician before starting any new supplement.

Supplement labels contain several key sections regulated by the FDA:

• Serving Size — The recommended amount per dose. Always check this — some products require multiple capsules per serving.
• Amount Per Serving — Shows the quantity of each nutrient in the product, typically in IU (International Units), mg (milligrams), or mcg (micrograms).
• % Daily Value (%DV) — Indicates how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 5% DV or less is low; 20% DV or more is high.
• Other Ingredients — Lists inactive ingredients like fillers, binders, and capsule materials (e.g., gelatin, cellulose, magnesium stearate).
• Suggested Use — The manufacturer's recommended directions for taking the supplement, including timing and dosage.

Source: FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide