Gummy Vitamins for Kids vs. Adults – What’s the Difference?
Countless gummy vitamins are produced by manufacturers each year with different formulas to serve specific nutritional or lifestyle needs. Often, they can be separated further by factors like age range, gender, or dietary restrictions.
One of the most popular verticals in gummy pharmaceuticals is gummy vitamins for kids. Parents are fond of this medium, compared to a capsule, softgel, or tablet, often due to the sweeter taste and chewy texture that their children are more likely to enjoy. This creates less of an uphill battle for parents to motivate a child to consume vitamins regularly.
However, beyond the label, what does “for kids” actually mean? Before you can start manufacturing your own range of products for a younger demographic, it is important to understand some of the key differences between manufacturing a children’s gummy vitamin and one marketed to adults.
How Gummy Vitamins Differ for Kids and Adults
When it comes to gummy vitamins, there are a few key attributes that distinguish children’s vitamins from those made for adults. These include traits such as:
Size and Consistency
First, children’s vitamins tend to be smaller in size, making them easier for little ones to chew and swallow. Adults have larger mouths, stronger teeth, and are able to chew tougher gummy textures with greater ease.
Gummy vitamins for kids are often a chewier texture compared to adult versions. This allows their smaller teeth to soften the gummy before swallowing without any difficulty.
Calories
Gummy vitamins made for children also tend to be lower in calories. Kids generally need to consume fewer calories throughout the day than adults. However, many kids gummy vitamins have a higher sugar content than those marketed to adults.
Age Ranges
For both children’s and adults categories, there are subgroups with other highly specific nutritional needs that may need to be accounted for, depending on the active ingredients you are using. For example, children ages 1-5 may require a different formula than ones 6-12.
Similarly, this could apply to adult gummy vitamins as well. Seniors aged 65+ will often need additional nutritional support than a healthy 25-year-old.
Active Ingredients
Finally, children’s gummy vitamins may contain different nutrients than adult formulas, as kids have different nutritional needs. For instance, children need more vitamin C than adults, so you’re likely to find more vitamin C in a children’s gummy vitamin than in an adult formula.
The concentration of active ingredients may also vary due to children having smaller bodies. Continuing with the vitamin C example, one made for kids may have fewer milligrams. Too much of the active ingredient could cause unwanted side effects if consumed.
When creating your own range of gummy vitamins for kids, consult with a pediatric medical or pharmaceutical professional to determine a healthy and safe range for active ingredients. This can further ensure product quality and result in a safer experience for young people.
Packaging and Labeling Considerations
One of the most significant challenges for gummy vitamin manufacturers is creating labels that provide parents with the information they need to make informed decisions about purchasing the product. After all, gummy vitamins are intended for children, and parents need to be confident that they are buying a quality product that is safe for their kids.
There are a few key considerations that should be taken into account when creating a label for children’s gummy vitamins. First, it is important to list all of the ingredients clearly and in an easy-to-understand format. Parents need to know what exactly is in the product in order to make sure it is safe for their child. If any ingredients are associated with certain allergies, they should also be listed again in a separate section that highlights allergy warnings.
Additionally, the label should include clear instructions on how many gummies should be taken per day and any possible side effects. Finally, the label should include a contact number for the manufacturer in case parents have any questions or concerns about the product. You should also include an advisory notice that instructs parents to ask their child’s pediatrician before consuming if they have any further concerns.
As for packaging, be sure to house your gummy vitamins in a resealable container, such as a plastic jar or bottle. This will prevent oxygen from contaminating the product and keep it fresh between openings. Manufacturers should also use a cap with child locks that can be difficult for a young person to open but easy for an adult. This can deter them from attempting to eat more than recommended.
Get Commercial Equipment to Make Gummy Vitamins for Kids Today
At Gummy Technologies, we are proud to be the leading innovator of pharmaceutical gummy manufacturing equipment. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality products and solutions to aid your manufacturing business in creating the highest-quality gummies possible.
All of our solutions are 100% U.S.-designed and developed, and we offer hands-on equipment training and ongoing support to ensure that your team can operate your new equipment with confidence. To get started with making your own gummy vitamins for kids, view our range of equipment or contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your manufacturing goals.