Vitamins and supplements have become an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, and their demand is growing every year. However, as the popularity of these products grows, so does the number of fakes. How to choose quality vitamins and avoid being scammed? In this article, we will look at how to distinguish real vitamins from fake ones and what to look for when buying.
1. Study the packaging
The first thing you should pay attention to is the packaging. Manufacturers of quality vitamins carefully monitor its design, while fakes often have flaws.
- Print Quality : There should be no blurry images, typos, or poor quality printing on the packaging. Carefully check the fonts and placement of information.
- Holograms and security : Many manufacturers use holograms or other security features to prevent counterfeiting. Genuine packaging should have features such as hidden marks, micro stamps or QR codes that can be scanned to verify authenticity.
2. Check the expiration date
Another important indicator of quality is the expiration date. Counterfeits often have incorrect information or even no information at all.
- Expiry date and production date : Check the dates on the packaging carefully. If the expiration date information looks questionable or has been erased, this may be a sign of counterfeiting.
- Storage conditions : Quality vitamins often have instructions on proper storage conditions, such as temperature and humidity. Counterfeit vitamins may not have these instructions or may have them incorrectly indicated.
3. Check out the composition and certificates
One of the most important criteria for assessing the quality of vitamins is the composition of the product. Each packaging sheet must contain complete information on the composition, dosage and use.
- Composition : Pay attention to the ingredients listed on the packaging. Quality vitamins always list all active ingredients and their dosages. Counterfeits may have unclear or no information on the composition at all.
- Quality certificates : Original vitamins have certificates of conformity and documents confirming their safety. Ask the seller for quality certificates or check their availability on the manufacturer's website.
4. Buy only from trusted suppliers
Another important aspect is the choice of a store or online platform for purchasing vitamins. Some stores and online resources sell only certified products, while other platforms may have counterfeits.
- Seller Reputation : Always check the seller's reputation before buying. Read reviews from other buyers and make sure the store is reliable.
- Official channels : It is best to buy vitamins through the official websites of manufacturers or large pharmacy chains that can guarantee the quality of the products.
5. Price as an indicator of quality
One of the signs of a fake is the price. Vitamins that are sold significantly cheaper than their analogues often turn out to be fakes. Manufacturers of quality vitamins cannot offer products at a price below the market price.
- Overpriced : On the other hand, if the price of vitamins is excessively high, this may also be a sign of fraud. Therefore, it is important to always focus on the average market price for each type of vitamin.
- Price per pack : Too low a price for vitamins can be a sign that the product is counterfeit or of low quality.
6. Visual signs of counterfeiting
Sometimes even the appearance of vitamins can give away a fake. For example, counterfeit capsules or tablets may differ in color, shape, or texture from the original.
- Color and shape : If the vitamins have an unusual color, shape or smell, this may indicate that the product is not genuine.
- Packaging type : The quality of the packaging can also tell a lot. Fake packages often lack a seal or are easily opened.
7. Checking via code and manufacturer's website
Modern manufacturers often use additional methods to verify the authenticity of their products. For example, the packaging may contain a unique code that can be entered on the manufacturer's official website for verification.
- QR codes : Some manufacturers provide their packaging with special QR codes that can be scanned with a smartphone to confirm the authenticity of the product.
- Unique product code : Enter the code from the packaging on the manufacturer's website and find out if the product is genuine.
Conclusion
When choosing vitamins, it is important to pay attention to detail and be careful not to fall victim to fraudsters. Checking the packaging, composition, quality certificates, seller's reputation and other factors will help you choose quality vitamins and avoid counterfeits. Take care of your health and choose only proven products that will really benefit you.