Are My Vitamins Still Good?

I would trash and get a new bottle. I have not used that specific brand but since it has the cchanges it might be better safe than sorry.

I had gummy vitamins that didn't look right. I took them back to the store (without a receipt) and was able to exchange them. Granted, it was a store brand.

Flinstone vitamins are full of sugar.I'd throw them out no matter what date was on the bottle.

Hi L.,
I had that happen to me. I just ate them and I didnt' give them to my child. I didn't feel comfortable with it and I am fine. They taste okay and I think that it is moisture that causes the spots. Aren't we so paranoid?

Take care,
C.

I agree with Barbara. It sounds like some moisture got in the bottle. Although the vitamins are probably OK, I would not trust them and I'd take them myself or throw them out. I wouldn't give them to a child.
Another posibility is to call a local pharmacy and ask a pharmacist. By my experience, they love being asked real-life technical questions.

Hi L.,

It sounds like you got some good advice. I would always make sure you are taking something that is all natural. I do sell Nutrilite vitamins. You may have seen the Brainiums commercial on TV or many of the other ones. Nutrilite has been around for over 70 years. If you would like a sample, please let me know. Also, you can check out my website at www.pbarnard.qhealthbeauty.com. If you would like to check out Nutrilite and how they compare to other companies, you can go to www.nutrilite.com
Good Luck
P.

I know this is old, but I ran across it today while researching those dark spots on my DS's Flintstones complete. I sent a thorough email to Bayer describing the issue and received a reassuring response (pardon the formatting issues):

"Thank you for taking the time to contact Bayer HealthCare regarding your
experience with Flintstones® Complete Children's Chewable Vitamin Supplements.
I appreciate your comments about the condition of the tablets.

Nutritional supplements are susceptible to moisture in either the form of water
droplets or humidity in the environment. The presence of water does cause a
slight degradation of the tablet that results in dark spots. Please be assured
however, this occurrence is a cosmetic concern only and that the tablets are not
harmful in this condition. In addition, the efficacy of the nutrients in the
tablet is not altered in any manner.

To minimize this reaction, we do recommend that you store the tablets in a
relatively dry area of the house and it is important to replace the cap tightly
after each use to minimize moisture from entering the bottle. In addition, if
tablets are generally poured into the palm of the hand for selection, we do
recommend ensuring that the hand is dry or that you pour the tablets into the
cap instead to ensure that moisture does not transfer to the tablets placed back
into the bottle."

Hi L.,
I am married to a RPH. I asked him and he said call the manufacturer and they should send you another bottle. It would probably be best not to use them. With their appearance being altered, their composites are also more than likely altered as well.
Hope this helps.
T.

This has happened several times to me also. I threw them away because they were almost gone and after a few times of this happening I changed brands. I have older children and changed to the Gummy vitamins. Call the company and maybe you will get a new bottle out of it. And I wouldn't mind knowing what they say!

Actually, your Flinstones vitamins were never really good to begin with. Most childrens vitamins are artificially colored and those food dyes are made from petroleum. Check out www.feingold.org. Feingold is a 30yr old non-profit organization whose purpose is to inform the public about harmful petroleum based artificial ingredients in our food supply. These additives cause ADD, ADHD, OCD and many other emotional and physical disorders. Throw out those old vitamins and buy some healthy, all-natural ones.

They won't hurt you, but their potency may have been compromised. Sweettarts do this when exposed to the air or possibly moisture. It is just the coating breaking down. But if unsure, call or just throw them out.

Go to your neighborhood pharmacy and show the pharmacist the vitamins in question, then go with his/her recommendation. When in doubt, throw it out!

If you have any reservations don't. Get another bottle with a different date from a different store open them and look at them. If there is a difference do not use them better safe than sorry. Those dark spots usually mean moisture of some sort has gotten to them. If it was sealed the moisture was from manufacturing, an even better not to use them.
A.

I'd write, email, or call Flintstones and ask them. (Many times companies will give freebies or great coupons any time you contact them.) They'll probably be able to give you a definitive answer and will probably give you a coupon for free vitamins too.

I would contact the company, they would know better than anyone if their products are good. If they have turned and the date is still good, they might replace them.

Hi L., It sounds like moisture got into the bottle. I am not sure whether the potentcy would be compromised, but I am also not sure whether bacteria or mold could affect them now that they have been affected by moisture. I think for piece of mind it may be best to throw them out.

Keep in mind that Flinstone vitamins contain Aspartame. Although some studies show it to be safe, there are many that show that it isn't. You may not want to risk it with kids sensitive development systems.

D.
http://www.switchingstores.com/danipen

Hi L.,

Please don't give your children that bottle of vitamins and I encourage you not to buy Flinstones. They have synthetics in them that if you bake them in the oven, a substance that resembles black tar will leak out. Basically, because it is tar. A vitamin that is water soluble - you will know if you put it in a glass of water and it dissolves - is what you need. I buy Shaklee multivitamins. I'm sure you could find a local distributor who would give you a sample so your kids could try them. They are made with natural ingredients and Shaklee is a company that's been around for over 50 years - they have a lot of integrity.

I agree with the other post. Either contact the company (by the way they will tell you not to use them b/c of the date alone...regardless of the appearance), take them useself (don't give to the kids), or throw them out (what I would do). The company may give you some coupons, so maybe it will help recoup your cost. HTH

we get those too. I think moisture probably got in there at some point. I think they're fine...they havn't killed us yet :)

i learned in nursing school when in doubt, throw them out, better safe than sorry, it could be caused by moisture, but the potency may be affected, you could also take them back to the store where you urchased them and see if they will refund or exchange them

Hi L.,

I really have no definitive proof to support my opinion but I would not use them. Date or no date, if the appearance has changed, I believe it is trying to tell you that they are no longer good. It sounds as though somehow, moisture got to them.
Good luck
B.

Wow - I took Flinstones Comlete vitamins while I was pregnant, and stopped for a couple months after my baby was born. When I recently started taking them again, I noticed tiny black spots, but figured that I'd forgotten what they looked like - they were still good according to the exp date.
I took them for some time despite the spots, and became suspicious and read this while looking for an answer.
Wish I'd read this sooner - I've already thrown them out.
-S. P.

I have only ever seen changes like this when vitamins have been exposed to some kind of moisture. Even little wet hands getting them out of the bottle can leave a slight bit of moisture behind. I would not use them. If moisture is present, that could have encouraged the growth of bacteria.

In the end, it is your call.

I've had vitamins do this and best rule of thumb is when in doubt, throw them out. Since it's vitamins for kids, just get a new bottle and be sure that they are full strength and fresh.

I am a pharmacy tech. THis is what I have been told.
They are good till the experation date. They are actually good past that but they have to put an earlier date on it to be safe. Now... they come with that little package inside the bottle. That package is to keep them fresh; looking fresh also. If ii is gone that doesn't mean that they are bad. The discoloration doesn't mean they are bad either, however if they have been in extreme heat, they may not be good. All drugs are made for certain temperatures.
But this is what we are told:
When in doubt - THROW THEM OUT !

Hope this helps.