Vegan Multivitamin UK: What to Look For on the Label

By the GUUDIES Editorial Team · Updated 25 October 2026 · Claims checked against the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register; sources below.

Disclosure: GUUDIES makes a daily pouch of six gummies. Five of the six are vegan; the sixth, Marine Collagen, contains fish. We say exactly how that works for a plant-based routine below.

The short answer: a good vegan multivitamin in the UK should contain vitamin B12, iodine and vitamin D from a non-animal source, use pectin or plant capsules rather than gelatine, and list every dose with its % NRV. Check the ingredient list rather than relying on the word "vegan" on the front, because UK labels are mostly self-declared unless they carry a certification mark.

The Ingredients That Catch People Out

Gelatine

The most common one. Gelatine is made from animal collagen, usually from pork or beef, and it is used in many capsules and gummies. The plant alternatives are pectin, from fruit, for gummies and HPMC (a plant cellulose) for capsules. It is often only shown in the ingredients list, so read it even on products that look plant-based.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) has traditionally been made from lanolin, the grease in sheep's wool, which is not suitable for vegans. Many vegan products once used vitamin D2 instead. Vegan D3 from lichen is now widely available. The NHS reminds vegans to check that the vitamin D in a supplement is not of animal origin (NHS).

Omega-3

Most omega-3 supplements are fish oil. The vegan route is algal oil, which is where fish get their omega-3 in the first place. Very few multivitamins include omega-3 at all, so this usually means a separate product.

Collagen

There is no such thing as vegan collagen. Collagen is a protein found only in animals. Products sold as "vegan collagen" supply nutrients involved in your own collagen formation, such as vitamin C, rather than collagen itself. That can be a reasonable product, but the name is misleading.

Nutrients to Check on a Vegan Multivitamin

Nutrient	Why it matters on a vegan diet	What to look for
Vitamin B12	Not found naturally in fruit, vegetables or grains; the NHS says vegans may need a supplement. Contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue	Present at a meaningful amount; adults need about 1.5µg a day
Iodine	Dairy and fish are major UK sources, and many plant drinks are not fortified. Contributes to normal thyroid function	A measured amount rather than kelp, which can vary widely
Vitamin D	Advised for everyone in the UK in autumn and winter. Contributes to the normal function of the immune system	10µg or more, from a non-animal source
Zinc	Phytates in wholegrains and pulses reduce absorption. Contributes to the normal function of the immune system	An absorbable form such as bisglycinate
Iron and calcium	Plant iron is absorbed less well; calcium needs planning without dairy	Often low or absent in gummies; plan these through food or a separate product

Health claim wording above is taken from the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register.

B12: The Non-Negotiable One

Vitamin B12 is made by bacteria and reaches people through animal foods or fortification. The NHS lists fortified breakfast cereals, fortified unsweetened soya drinks and yeast extract as vegan sources, and says a supplement may be needed. Deficiency develops slowly because the body stores B12, so by the time symptoms appear you may have been low for some time. A reliable daily source, whether fortified foods or a supplement, is the safest approach.

Iodine: The One Nobody Mentions

In the UK, milk and dairy foods are a major source of iodine. Move away from dairy and that source goes with it. Plant drinks are not consistently fortified, and seaweed is unreliable: some types, especially kelp, can provide far more than you need. A measured amount from a supplement or fortified drink is more predictable. Speak to your GP before taking iodine if you have a thyroid condition.

Iron, Zinc and Calcium

Plant foods contain plenty of iron and zinc, but the non-haem iron in plants is absorbed less readily than iron from meat. The NHS suggests eating vitamin C-rich foods with iron sources and avoiding tea or coffee around main meals. For calcium, the NHS lists fortified plant drinks, calcium-set tofu, sesame seeds and tahini, pulses and green vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage. These bulky minerals rarely fit into gummies in meaningful amounts, so most vegans rely on food for them.

What "Suitable for Vegans" Means on a Label

In the UK there is no specific legal definition of "vegan" on food and supplement labels, so most claims are self-declared. Certification schemes, such as the Vegan Society trademark, have defined criteria and are checked, which is why a recognised logo carries more weight than the word alone. Reading the ingredient list yourself remains the most reliable check.

Vegan Multivitamin Checklist

• Pectin or HPMC rather than gelatine
• Vitamin D3 from lichen, or D2, rather than lanolin
• B12 at a meaningful amount
• Iodine at a measured amount
• Zinc in an absorbable form, such as bisglycinate
• Every dose shown with its % NRV
• A certification mark if you want a checked claim

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition, ask your GP or pharmacist which supplements suit you.

Where GUUDIES Fits

GUUDIES is a daily pouch of six pectin-based gummies with no gelatine. Five of the six gummies are vegan: Daily Greens+, Mushroom Mix, ACV, Sea Moss and Metabolic.

The sixth, Marine Collagen, is not vegan because it contains collagen from fish. If you follow a vegan diet, you can simply leave that gummy out and take the other five.

The vegan Daily Greens+ gummy provides vitamin B12 (24µg, 88% NRV), iodine (38µg, 60% NRV), vitamin D3 (20µg, 400% NRV) and zinc as bisglycinate (2.75mg, 25% NRV). Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, iodine contributes to normal thyroid function, and vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system. It contains no iron, calcium or omega-3, so plan those through food or a separate product. Each gummy has about 0.4g of sugar.

You can see every ingredient and dose here, or see the GUUDIES daily pouch.

Common Questions

What should a vegan multivitamin contain?
At minimum, vitamin B12, iodine and vitamin D from a non-animal source, with every dose declared. Zinc is useful; iron, calcium and omega-3 usually need separate planning.

Is vitamin D3 vegan?
Only if it comes from a plant source such as lichen. Conventional D3 is made from lanolin in sheep's wool. Check the label or ask the brand.

Do vegans need a B12 supplement?
The NHS says vegan sources of B12 are limited and a supplement may be needed. Fortified foods can also count if you eat them reliably every day.

Are gummy vitamins vegan?
Only if they use pectin rather than gelatine and contain no animal-derived ingredients. Always read the ingredient list.

Is GUUDIES suitable for vegans?
Five of the six gummies are vegan. Marine Collagen contains fish, so vegans can leave that gummy out and take the other five.

Sources

• NHS, The vegan diet: nhs.uk
• NHS, B vitamins and folic acid: nhs.uk
• NHS, Vitamin D: nhs.uk
• GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register: gov.uk

Related Reading

B12 on a Plant-Based Diet · Vegan Omega-3 UK Guide · Vegan Supplements That Are Not Fully Vegan · Best Vegan Gummies UK · Daily Greens+