Children's Multivitamins Tested for Pesticides, PFAS, Phthalates, & Heavy Metals

What are the safest children’s multivitamins available with the lowest amount of toxic contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, PFAS “forever chemicals,” and phthalates? We asked our audience what children’s multivitamins they were giving their kids and we sent the top nine products off to different EPA-certified laboratories to check. The results can help parents in our community make educated decisions on what brands to purchase for their children. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you consumer studies like safest cooking oils tested for phthalates, safest water filters to filter PFAS, and safest probiotics for kids tested for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals,” now join us for a consumer study testing children’s multivitamins for pesticides, PFAS “forever chemicals,” phthalates, & heavy metals.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Scientific reviews were performed by (1) Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University & (2) Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina, & Yale University. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with most to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you! Copyright © 2025 Mamavation — All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents

Mamavation’s EPA-Certified Laboratory Finds Heavy Metals, PFAS, Pesticides, & Phthalates in Popular Children’s Multivitamins

Mamavation sent nine popular children’s multivitamins to two EPA-certified laboratories testing for PFAS analytes, including PFOA/PFOS, phthalates, heavy metals, glyphosate, and 500+ additional pesticides. The contamination results were surprising considering how expensive most of these products were. Here’s the outcome of contaminants that were found according to our labs:

44% of children’s multivitamins contained specific PFAS chemicals. That’s 4 out of 9 products.
44% of children’s multivitamins contained ortho-phthalates. That’s 4 out of 9 products.
None of children’s multivitamins had levels of heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium & mercury) that would require a Prop. 65 warning in California. All 9 products had lower levels of heavy metals. However, no product had zero heavy metals.
None of the children’s multivitamins we tested had detectable levels of glyphosate at the lowest standardized level.
None of the children’s multivitamins we tested had other detectable pesticides present at the lowest standardized level.

Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina, & Yale University had this to say after her scientific review: “Children’s multivitamins are doing a better job avoiding heavy metals like lead and cadmium and pesticides, but still have issues with phthalates and PFAS. Those specific contaminants are very problematic to children’s health, so I would recommend working to lower and eliminate these chemicals immediately.”

Contaminants Included in Mamavation’s EPA Certified Laboratory Testing

Mamavation sent nine children’s multivitamins to two different EPA-certified laboratories looking for specific problematic contaminants that would not be listed on an ingredient panel. These ingredients are never found on an ingredient label because they are not considered “intentionally added” and would instead be considered more of a contaminant from manufacturing, transportation, storage, and/or farming practices. However, just because these contaminants are not “intentionally added” doesn’t mean they won’t impact your health over time and usage.

Our labs tested for the following contaminants and found some of them present in children’s multivitamins we tested to varying degrees:

40 specific PFAS “forever” chemicals
Glyphosate
500+ additional Pesticides
Phthalates
Lead — heavy metal
Arsenic — metaloid
Cadmium — heavy metal
Mercury — heavy metal

Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University had this to say after his scientific review: “Children’s multivitamins aim to support the healthy development and welfare of America’s greatest treasures–its amazing and beautiful children who are the Country’s future. Given the trust that parents express that their children’s health and vitality will be boosted if they buy them multivitamin supplements, one would think that an assurance that well-recognized toxic chemicals are absent should be a bedrock of this entire industry. Mamavation’s study shows that this bedrock is shaky at best and challenges the marketing companies to do much better for the people who buy and use their products. Companies in this area have some serious rethinking, resourcing, chemical purification, and chemical monitoring work to do to stabilize the bedrock that is essential for consumer trust.”

PFAS “Forever Chemical” Analytes Tested, Including PFOA & PFOS

PFAS “forever chemicals” are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances used as stain-resistant, water-resistant, & oil-resistant chemicals in commerce. They have been used for decades in consumer products, manufacturing, and building materials. Here are some of the health effects associated with different PFAS “forever chemicals:”

It’s also very clear based on biomonitoring evidence from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that PFAS are in virtually all Americans. Therefore, these exposures can harm most Americans.

For this investigation, we elected to test for forty specific PFAS analytes listed below using EPA method 1633:

Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)
Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTriA)
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeA)
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
Perfluoroheptanesulfonic Acid (PFHpS)
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
Perfluorononanesulfonic acid (PFNS)
Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS)
Perfluorododecanesulfonic acid (PFDoS)
Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA)
NMeFOSAA
NEtFOSAA
4:2 FTS
6:2 FTS
8:2 FTS
NEtFOSA
NMeFOSA
NMeFOSE
NEtFOSE
9Cl-PF3ONS
HFPO-DA (GenX)
11Cl-PF3OUdS
ADONA
3:3 FTCA
5:3 FTCA
7:3 FTCA
NFDHA
PFMBA
PFMPA
PFEESA

Glyphosate — Testing Details

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] is the active ingredient in glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) and is the most popular herbicide in the world. Environmental exposure to this broad-based herbicide has increased dramatically since the introduction in 1996 of “Round-up Ready” genetically modified (GMO) crops for soybean, maize, and cotton varieties. “Round-up Ready” genetically modified crops made it possible to utilize glyphosate as a broadcast herbicide while not killing the crops they were sprayed on. Glyphosate is also extensively used for deforestation efforts, such as killing brush in fire zones, and is also relied on heavily by landscapers to kill weeds on green belts and golf courses. Ultimately, glyphosate is used for eliminating weeds and shrubs, such as annual and perennial grasses, broadleaf weeds, and woody species.

Glyphosate was originally patented as a chelator and an antibiotic, which means it has the ability to stop nutrient absorption and decimate delicate gut flora. These two simple facts explain why glyphosate is so damaging to the overall health of your body and has been linked to spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Glyphosate has also been deemed a “probable carcinogen” by the World Health Organization and added to the Prop. 65 List of carcinogens and reproductive toxins in California.

Mamavation sent nine children’s multivitamins to our EPA Certified lab to test for glyphosate, glufosinate, and AMPA (metabolites or breakdown products) using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) at 10 parts per billion (ppb) detection limit. This is the standard test going as low as possible in a commercial lab. (University labs or experimental labs using non-standardized testing may be able to go lower.)

500+ Additional Pesticide Laboratory Tests for Children’s Multivitamins — Testing Details

Nine children’s multivitamins were sent to our EPA-certified lab and analyzed using two different methods, which totaled testing for 587 pesticides down to the lowest standardized level, which was mostly 10 ppb. However, there are a few chemicals where the detection limit was between 18 and 25 ppb. Our laboratory did not find any traces of pesticides at any of these detection levels. The first method looked at the following pesticides:

2,4,6-Trichloroanisole
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
2-phenylphenol (SP)
8-hydroxyquinoline (SP)
Acetochlor
Acrinathrin
Alachlor
Aldrin
Alpha Endosulfan
Alpha-HCH
Ametryn
Anthraquinone
Atrazine
Beflubutamid
Benalaxyl
Benfluralin
Beta Endosulfan
Beta-HCH
Bifenazate-Bifenazate Diazene
Bifenox
Bifenthrin
Biphenyl
Bitertanol
Bromophos-ethyl
Bromophos-methyl
Bromopropylate
Bupirimate
Captan
Captan (Sum)
Carbophenothion
Chinomethionat
Chlordane (Sum)
Chlorfenapyr
Chlorfenson
Chlorfenvinphos
Chlormephos
Chlorobenzilate+Chloro propylate
Chlorothalonil
Chlorotoluron
Chlorpropham
Chlorpyrifos
Chlorpyrifos-methyl
Chlorthal-dimethyl
Chlorthion
Cinidon-ethyl
Cis-Chlordane
Cyfluthrin
Cyproconazole
Cyprodinil
DDD-pp+DDT-0p
DDT (Sum)
DEET
delta-HCH
Deltamethrin
Desethyl atrazine
Diafenthiuron
Diazinon
Dichlobenil
Dichlofenthion
Diclobutrazol
Dicloran
Dicofol (Sum)
Dicofol 0,p
Dicofol p,p
Dicrotophos
Dieldrin
Dieldrin (Sum)
Dicofol o,p
Dicofol p,p
Dicrotophos
Dieldrin
Dieldrin (Sum)
Difenoconazole
Diflufenican
Dimefox
Dimoxystrobin
Diniconazole
Dinobuton
Diphenylamine
Disulfoton (SP)
Disulfoton (Sum)
Disulfoton Sulfone
Disulfoton Sulfoxide
Ditalimfos
Endosulfan (Sum)
Endosulfan-Sulphate
Endrin
EPN
Epsilon-HCH
EPTC
Ethalfuralin
Ethion
Ethofumesate (SP)
Ethoprophos
Etridiazole
Etrimfos
Fenarimol
Fenazaquin
Fenchlorphos (SP)
Fenchlorphos (Sum)
Fenchlorphos Oxon
Fenitrothion
Fenpropathrin
Fenson
Fenthion (SP)
Fenthion Oxon
Fenvalerate
Flucythrinate
Flumetralin
Fluopicolide
Fluopyram
Fluotrimazole
Flutamone
Fluvalinate
Folpet
Folpet (Sum)
Fonofos
Furalaxyl
Heptachlor (SP)
Heptachlor (Sum)
Heptachlor Epoxide A
Heptachlor Epoxide B
Heptenophos
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexaclorobutadiene
Hexacanazole
Iodofenphos
Iprobenfos
Iprodione
Iprovalicarb
Isazofos
Isofenphos
Isophenfos-methyl
Kresoxim-methyl
Lambda-Cyhalothrin
Lindane
Malaoxon
Malathion (SP)
Mefenpyr Diethyl
Mepronil
Metalaxyl-M (Mefenoxam)
Methacrifos
Methidathion
Methacrifos
Methidathion
Methoxychlor
Metribuzin
Mevinphos
Mirex
Molinate
Myclobutanil
Naled
Naled (Sum)
Napropamide
Nitrofen
Nitrothal Isopropyl
Nuarimol
o,p-DDD
o,p-DDE
Ofurace
Oxadixyl
Oxychlordan
Oxyfluorfen
p,p-DDT
p,p-DDE
Paraoxon Methyl
Paraoxon-ethyl
Parathion Methyl (SP)
Parathion Methyl (Sum)
Parathion-ethyl
Parathion-ethyl (Sum)
Penconazole
Pendimethalin
Pentachloroaniline
Pentachloroanisole
Pentachlorobenzene
Pentachlorobenzonitrile
Pentachlorophenol
Permethrin
Phenthoate
Phorate
Phosalone
Phthalimide
Piperonyl butoxide
Pirimiphos-ethyl
Pirimiphos-methyl
Procymidone
Profenofos
Profluralin
Prometryn
Propazine
Propetamphos
Propyzamide
Prothiofos
Pyrazophos
Pyridaben
Pyridaphenthion
Pyrifenox
Pyrimethanil
Pyriproxyfen
Quinalphos
Quintozene
Quintozene (Sum)
Silthiofam
Simazine
Tebuconazole
Tebufenpyrad
Tecnazene
Tefluthrin
Terbacil
Terbumeton
Terbuthylazine
Terbuthylazine Desethyl
Terbutryn
Tetrachlorvinphos
Tetracanazole
Tetradifon
Tetrahydrophthalimide (THPI)
Tetramethrin
Tetrasul
Thiometon
Tolclofos-methyl
Trans-Chlordane
Transfluthrin
Triadimefon
Triadimenol
Tri-allate
Triamiphos
Trifluralin
Uniconazole
Vinclozolin
Zeta-cypermethrin

The second group was analyzed using the LC-MS/MS technique for 360 pesticides and included the following:

3-OH carbofuran (SQ)
Abamectin
Acephate
Acequinocyl
Acetamiprid
Acibenzolar-S-methyl (SP)
Alcarb (SP)
Aldicarb (Sum)
Aldicarb Sulfone
Aldicarb Sulfoxide
Ametroctradin
Aminocarb
Amitraz (SP)
Atrizine Desisopropyl
Azaconazole
Azadirachtin
Azamethiphos
Azimsulfuron
Azinphos-ethyl
Azinphos-methyl
Azocyclotin and Cyhexatin (SQ)
Azoxystrobin
Ben-Carb-TPN (Sum)
Bendiocarb
Bentazone (SP)
Bentazones-methyl
Benthiavalicarb
Bioallethrin
Bixafen
Boscalid
Bromacil
Bromoxynil (SP)
Bromuconazole
BTS 44595
BTS 44596
Buprofezin
Butachlor
Butocarboxim
Butoxicarboxim Sulfoxide
Butralin
Buturon
Cadusafos
Carbaryl
Carbendazim and Benomyl
Carbetamide
Carboxin (SP)
Carfentazone-ethyl (SP)
Chloratraniliprole
chlorbromuron
Chlorfluazuron
Chloridazon
Chloroxuron
Chlorsulfuron
Chlorthiophos
Clethodim (SP)
Clethodim Sulfoxide
Clofentezine
Clomazone
Clopyralid
Clothianidine
Coumaphos
Crimidine
Cyanazine
Cyantraniliprole
Cyazofamid
Cyclanilide
Cycloate
Cycloxydim (SP)
Cyenopyrafen
Cyflufenamid
Cyflumetofen
Cyhalofop-butyl
Cymoxanil
Cyromazine
Demeton S
Demeton-S-methyl
Demeton-S-Methylsulfone
Demeton-S-sulfoxide
Desmedipham
Desmetryn
Dialifos
Dichiofluanid
Dichlormid
Dichloroprop
Dichlorvos
Diclofop (SP/SQ)
Diclofop (Sum)
Diclofo-methyl (SP/SQ)
Diethofencarb
Diflubenzuron
Dimefuron
Dimethachlor
Dimethenamid-P
Dimethoate
Dimethoate (Sum)
Dimethomorph
Dimethylaminosulfotoluidide (DMST)
Dinotefuran
Diuron
DNOC
Dodemorph
Dodine
Edifenphos
Emamectin B1a
Epoxiconazole
Ethaboxam
Ethiofencarb
Ethiofencarb sulfone
Ethiofencarb sulfoxide
Ethiprole
Ethirimol
Ethoxyquin (SQ)
Etofenprox
Etoxazole
Famoxadone
Fenamidone
Fenamiphos (SP)
Fenamiphos (Sum)
Fenamiphos Sulphone
Fenamiphos Sulphoxide
Febnuconazole
Fenbutatin oxide
Fenhexamid
Fenobucarb
Fenoxycarb
Fenpiclonil
Fenpropidin (SP)
Fenpropimorph
Fenpyrazamine
Fenpyroximate
Fensulfothion
Fensulfothion Oxon
Fensulfothion Oxon Sulfone
Fensulfothion Sulfone
Fenthion (Sum)
Fenthion Oxon Sulfone
Fenthion Oxon Sulfoxide
Fentin (SP/SQ)
Fenuron
Fipronil (SP)
Fipronil (Sum)
Fipronil Sulfide
Fipronil Sulfone
Flamprop
Flazasulfuron
Flonicamid (SP)
Flonicamid (Sum)
Florasulam
Fluazifop-methyl (SP)
Fluazifop-P (SP)
Fluazifop-P-butyl (SP)
Fluazinam
Flubendiamide
Fludioxonil
Flufenacet
Flufenacet (Sum)
Flufenacet ESA
Flufenacet OA
Flufenoxuron
Flumioxazin
Fluometuron
Fluoxastrobin
Flupyradifurone
Fluquinconazole
Fluoxypyr (SP)
Fluroxypyr-meptyl
Fluroxypyr-meptyl
Flusilazole
Flutolanil
Flutriafol
Fluxapyroxad
Foramsulfuron
Forchlorfenuron
Formetanate (SP)
Formothion
Fosthiazate
Fuberidazole
Halosulfuron methyl
Haloxyfop (Sum)
Haloxyfop-2-ethoxyethyl
Haloxyfop-methyl (SP)
Haloxyfop-R (SP)
Hexaflumuron
Hexazinone
Hexythiazox
Imazalil
Imazapic
Imazappic
Imazapyr
Imidacloprid
Indaziflam
Indoxacarb
Iodosulfuron-methyl (SP)
Ioxynil (SP)
Isocarbophos
Isoprocarb
Isoprothiolane
Isoproturon
Isopyrazam
Isoxaben
Isoxathion
Ivermectin
Lenacil
Linuron
Lufenuron
Mandipropamid
Matrine
MCPA (SP)
Mecarbam
Mepanipyrim
Meptyldinocap
Mesosulfuron-methyl
Mesotrione
Metaflumizone
Metamitron
Metazachlor (SP)
Methiocarb (Sum)
Methoprotyne
Methoxyfenozide
Metobromuron
Metolachlor and S-Metolachlor
Metolcarb
Metoxuron
Metrafenone
Metsulfuron-methyl
Milbemectin SQ (Sum)
Milbemycin A3 (SQ)
Milbemycin A4 (SQ)
Monocrotophos
Monolinuron
monuron
Neburon
Nicosulfuron
Nitenpyram
Norflurazon
Novaluron
Omethoate
Oxadiargyl
Oxydiazon
Oxamyl
Oxasulfuron
Oxathiapiprolin
Oxycarboxin
Paclobutrazol
Pencycuron
Penthiopyrad
Phenmedipham
Phorate (Sum)
Phorate Oxon
Phorate Oxon Sulfone
Phorate Oxon Sulfoxide
Phorate Sulfone
Phorate Sulfoxide
Phosmet (SP)
Phosmet (Sum)
Phosmet oxon
Phosphamidon
Phoxim
Picolinafen
Picoxystrobin
Pinoxaden
Pirimicarb
Pirimicarb Desmethyl
Pirimicarb Desmethyl Formamide
Prochloraz (SP)
Prochloraz (Sum)
Promecarb
Propachlor
Propamocarb (SP)
Propanil
Propaquizafob
Propargite
Propham
Propiconazole
Propoxur
Proquinazid
Prosulfocarb
Prosulfuron
Prothiocaonazole
Pydiflumetofen
Pymetrozine
Pyracarbolid
Pyraclostrobin
Pyraflufen
Pydiflumetofen
Pymetrozine
Pyracarbolid
Pyraclostrobin
Pyraflufen
Pyraflufen-ethyl (SP)
Pyraflufen-ethyl (Sum)
Pyridalyl
Pyridate (SP)
Quinclorac
Quinoxyfen
Quizalofop-ethyl (SP)
Rimsulfuron
Rotenone
Saflufenacil (SP)
Sebuthylazine
Sethoxydim
Spinetoram
Spinosad
Spirodiclofen
Spiromesifen
Spirotetramat (SP)
Spirotetramat (Sum)
Spirotetramatenol-glucoside
Spirotetramat-enol
Spirotetramat-ketohydroxy
Spirotetramat-monohydroxy
Spiroxamine
Sulcotrione
Sulfosulfuron
Sulfotep
Sulfoxaflor
Tebufenozide
Teflubenzuron
Tepraloxydim (SP)
Terbufos
Terbufos (Sum)
Terbufos Sulfone
Terbufos Sulfoxide
TFNA
TFNG
Thiabendazole
Thiacloprid
Thiamethoxam
Thiamethoxam (Sum)
Thidiazuron
Thifensulfuron-methyl
Thiobencarb
Thiocyclam
Thiodicarb
Thiofanox
Thiofanox Sulfone
Thiofanox Sulfoxide
Thiophanate-methyl
Tolfenpyrad
Tolylfluanid (SP)
Tolyfluanid (Sum)
Triasulfuron
Triazophos
Triazoxide
Trichlorfon
Tricresyl phosphate
Tricyclazole
Tridemorph
Trifloxystrobin
Triflumizole (SP)
Triflumizole (Sum)
Triflumizole FM-6-1
Triflumuron
Triforine (SQ)
Triticonazole
Vamidothion
Zoxamide

Phthalates — Testing Details

Phthalates are linked to many health effects in multiple studies on both animals and humans. This is very problematic because phthalates are linked with hormone disruption of the endocrine system, which regulates the body’s hormones, even in trace amounts in low concentrations. Epidemiological studies have revealed that exposure to phthalates adversely affects the level of hormones within the body, which can impact several important health functions. Here are some health effects phthalate exposure is linked to.

Mamavation’s EPA-certified lab tested for the following phthalates. This is not a complete list of all the phthalates that are allowed to be present as an indirect food additive according to the FDA, however, this list goes above and beyond what is already restricted by the European Union or the State of California.

Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
Di-n-propyl phthalate (DPP)
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
Dihexyl phthalate (DnHP)
Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP)
Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
Di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)
Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
bis(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
Dimethyl phthalate (DMP)
Bis(2-propylheptyl) Phthalate (DPHP)
Didecyl phthalate (DDP)

Heavy Metals: Lead, Cadmium, Mercury & Arsenic — Testing Details

Our EPA-certified laboratory tested each children’s multivitamins for the following metals:

lead,
arsenic,
cadmium,
mercury

Mamavation then adjusted the result to reflect California Prop. 65 based on serving size into ug/day results. When it comes to protecting consumers, California has far more stringent health protective levels, but instead of banning products, they require manufacturers to use label warnings instead.

California’s Prop. 65 established “safe harbor levels” for most of the heavy metals we tested: arsenic, cadmium, lead, & mercury. Prop. 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to consumers living in California about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. These chemicals can be in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or released into the environment. By requiring this information to be provided, it enables consumers in California to make informed decisions about their exposure to these chemicals.

Here are the No Significant Risk Levels (NSRL) and the Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADL) established by the State of California for the heavy metals we tested:

Arsenic: 0.06 ug/day (inhalation), 10 ug/day (except inhalation)
Cadmium: 0.05 ug/day (inhalation), 4.1 ug/day (oral)
Lead: 0.5 ug/day level for reproductive toxicity, 15 ug/day (oral) for carcinogens
Mercury: no established levels in California, so the Federal maximum contaminant level for mercury would be followed instead.

Mamavation’s Raw Data From Our EPA-Certified Laboratory Ranked

Mamavation sent two sets of nine children’s multivitamins to different EPA-certified laboratories looking for traces of contaminants:

500+ pesticides (which is more comprehensive than other testing we’ve seen)
Glyphosate
40 PFAS “forever chemical” analytes like PFOA & PFOS. (This is different from our other studies where we measured total organic fluorine.)
Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, & arsenic)
Phthalates

All products were sent to the laboratory in original packaging and purchased between June and December 2024. Products were selected by Mamavation community members representing what they are already buying and using in their homes to feed their families. All products were purchased by Mamavation directly. We could not purchase and test all the recommended brands because we had a limited budget for this testing.

After analyzing the results of each product, we decided to categorize products into three categories.

Not Our Favorite Children’s Multivitamins: These children’s multivitamins had detectable levels of specific PFAS analytes that were quantifiable and/or higher levels of phthalates. If we found pesticides, we would have placed those products here.
Better Children’s Multivitamins: Our lab did not find quantifiable PFAS or pesticides in these products, but it did find detectable phthalates and/or detectable PFAS that were not quantifiable. PFAS, which was not quantifiable, means the instrumentation was able to detect specific PFAS but was not able to say how much of it was there because it was so little.
Best Children’s Multivitamins: This product did not have any detectable contaminants such as PFAS, phthalates, glyphosate, or 500+ other pesticides, and had levels of heavy metals that did not require a Prop. 65 warning.

If you would like to donate to our efforts, you can do so by giving a tax-deductible donation here through Environmental Health Sciences. You can also support our efforts by shopping our affiliate links. Please note that links below are affiliate in nature and any purchases will pay us back for the testing and allow us to do more testing in the future.

Mamavation’s Investigation of Children’s Multivitamins

Not Our Favorite Children’s Multivitamins

These children’s multivitamins were found to have quantifiable amounts of PFAS “forever chemicals” OR they had high amounts of phthalates present. If we found pesticides, we would have placed those products here.

Pure Encapsulations Junior Nutrients Children’s Multivitamin for Daily Wellness
- Ingredients: Vitamin A (as vitamin A acetate and 75% beta carotene) 750 mcg, Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 137 mg, Vitamin D (as choleccalciferol D3) 10 mcg (400 IU), Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol succinate) 23 mg, Vitamin K (as vitamin K1) 45 mcg, Thiamin (as thiamin HCI) B1 1.5 mg, Riboflavin (as vitamin B2 and 43%riboflavin 5′ phosphate (activated B2)) 1.5 mg, Niacin (as niacinamide) 10 mg, Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCI and 38% pyridoxal 5′ phosphate (activated B6)) 2 mg, Folate (as Metafolin, L-5-MTHF) 333 mcg DFE (200 mcg L-5-MTHF), Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) 100 mcg, Biotin 150 mcg, Pantothenic acid (as calcium panthothenate) B5 5 mg, Choline (as choline bitartrate) 10 mg, Calcium (as di-calcium malate) (DimaCal) 42 mg, Iodine (as potassium iodide) 75 mcg, Magnesium (as dimagnesium malate)(Albion) 42 mg, Zinc (as zinc citrate) 75 mg, Selenium (as selenomethionine) 35 mcg, Manganese (as manganese citrate) 1 mg, Chromium (as chromium polynicotinate) 60 mcg, Molybdenum (as TRAACS molybdenum glycinate chelate) 37.5 mcg, Inositol 25 mg, Proprietary mixed carotennoid blend 246 mcg, FloraGLO lutein 1.5 mg, Zeaxanthin 250 mcg.
- Additional Ingredients: vegetarian capsule (cellulose, water), ascorbyl palmitate, ChromeMate brand niacin-bound chromium, Zeaxanthin is sourced from OPTISHARP brand. OPTISHARP is a trademark of DSM, FloraGLO is a registered trademark of Kemin Industries,Inc.
- PFAS “Forever chemicals”: 0.184 PFPeA ng/g
- Heavy Metals: Lead 0.026 ug/day, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium 0.035 ug/day, Mercury non-detect (Does not require Prop. 65 Warning for heavy metals)
- Phthalates: 39 ppb total phthalates
- 500+ Pesticides: Non-detect
- Glyphosate: Non-detect
Life Extension Children’s Formula Life Extension Mix Kid-Friendly Natural Berry Flavor
- Ingredients: Vitamin A (as beta-carotene) 1050 mcg RAE, Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 120 mg, Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) 10 mcg, Vitamin E (as D-alpha tocopheryl succinate) 20.1 mg, Thiamine (Vitamin B1)(as thiamine mononitrate) 3mg, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 1.7 mg, Niacin (Vitamin B3)(as niacinamide) 20 mg, Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCI) 2 mg, Folate (as folic acid, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate calcium salt) 340 mcg, Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) 6 mcg, Biotin 300 mcg, Pantothenic acid (as D-calcium panthothenate) 10 mg, Iodine (as potassium iodide) 150 mcg, Magnesium (as magnesium oxide) 50 mg, Zinc (as zinc bisglycinate chelate) 10 mg, Selenium (as L-selenomethionine) 25 mcg, Molybdenum (as molybdenum glycinate chelate) 20 mcg, Potassium (as potassium citrate) 10 mg, marigold extract (tagetes erecta) (flower) 11.12 mg (std. to 5mg trans-lutein and 155 mcg trans zeaxanthin), Inositol 10 mg, coenzyme Q10 1 mg,
- Additional Ingredients: Xylitol, microcrystalline cellulose, maltodextrin, natural beet color, stearic acid, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, citric acid, dextrose, silica, gum arabic, dicalcium phosphate, natural (cherry, vanilla, strawberry) flavors, luo han guo extract, cellulose, food-starch-modified, corn starch, hypromellulose, stevia extract
- PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: Non-detect
- Heavy Metals: Lead 0.027 ug/day, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium 0.01 ug/day, Mercury non-detect (Does not require Prop. 65 warning for heavy metals)
- Phthalates: 1,264 ppb total phthalates
- 500+ Pesticides: Non-detect
- Glyphosate: Non-detect

Better Multivitamins

These children’s multivitamins either had PFAS “forever chemicals” or pesticides identified by the lab, but they were in such low amounts they were not quantifiable. Most of these brands also had phthalates present in the samples we tested. MRL means “Method Reporting Limit” and it means the lowest concentration tested that can be reported reliably.

Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin (yellow bottle)
- Ingredients: Vitamin A (as retinyl palmitate and 46% beta carotene) 360 mcg, Vitamin C (as calcium ascorbate and acerola fruit) 40 mg, Vita min D (as vegan cholecalciferol) 25 mcg, Vitamin E (as d-alpha-tocopherol from sunflower oil) 3.5 mg, Thiamin (as Vitamin B1 & from organic quinoa sprouts) 0.5 mg, Riboflavin (as riboflavin & from organic quinoa sprouts) 0.6 mg, Folate (as L-5-MTHF-Ca & from organic quinoa sprouts) 200 mcgDFE, Vitamin B12 (as MeCbl & from organic quinoa sprouts) 2 mcg, Biotin (as biotin & from organic quinoa sprouts) 25 mcg, Pantothenic acid (as Vitamin B5 & from organic quinoa sprouts) 2.5 mg, Calcium (as calcium carbonate) 20 mg, Iodine (as potassium iodide) 50 mcg, zinc (as zinc citrate) 3 mg, Selenium (as selenomethionine) 15 mcg, Manganese (as Manganese citrate) 1.5 mg. Fruit and Vegetable Blend: organic apple, organic beet, organic blueberry, organic broccoli, organic carrot, organic green cabbage, organic kale, organic parsley, organic raspberry, organic spinach, organic strawberry, organic tomato 25 mg, Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-7) 8 mcg.
- Additional Ingredients: Sweetener blend (mannitol, monk fruit extract), plant cellulose blend, coconut oil powder, natural flavors and color (beet root, turmeric root, and spirulina), vegetable stearic acid, organic rice hull concentrate, malic acid, and vegetable magnesium stearate.
- PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: <MRL PFBA
- Heavy Metals: Lead 0.042 ug/day, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium 0.016 ug/day, Mercury non-detect (Does not require a Prop. 65 warning for heavy metals)
- Phthalates: 144 ppb total sum phthalates
- 500+ Pesticides: Non-detect
- Glyphosate: Non-detect
Garden of Life MyKind Organic Kids Multi Organic Fruit & Vitamins Gummies
- Ingredients: Vitamin A 250 mgc, Vitamin C 90 mg, Vitamin D (as D3) 20 mcg (800 IU), Vitamin E 7.5 mg, Vitamin K 45 mcg, Thiamin (Vitamin B1) 0.5 mg, Niacin 4.5 mg, Vitamin B6 2.5 mg, Folate 200 mcg, Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin) 3.5 mcg, Biotin 90 mcg, Pantothenic Acid 2.5 mg, Zinc 1.5 mg, Selenium 15 mcg, Manganese 0.2 mg, Chromium 35 mcg
- Additional Ingredients: Certified organic fruit chew base blend: Organic apple (fruit, puree concentrate & juice concentrate), organic peach (fruit puree concentrate), Organic tapioca fiber, pectin (from apples & oranges) organic peach flavor, organic purple carrot juice concentrate (for color), Organic orange (peel), organic rice meal and organic sunflower oil (for coating), Certified organic real food vitamin blend: organic emblic (amla, phyllanthus emblica) (fruit) extract, organic sesbania grandiflora (leaf), organic psidium guajava (guava fruit and leaf), organic lemon (peel), organic ocimum sanctum (holy basil leaf), organic annatto (fruit & seed), organic moringa oleifera (moringa leaf), organic beet (root), organic broccoli (stalk & flower), organic carrot (root), Organic spinach (leaf),Oraganic tomato (fruit), organic strawberry (fruit), organic cherry (fruit), Organic blackberry (fruit), organic green bell pepper (fruit), organic brussels sprout (leaf), organic ginger (root), organic blueberry (fruit), organic garlic (bulb), organic green onion (bulb), organic rasberry (fruit), organic parsely (leaf), organic cauliflower (flower & stem), organic red cabbage (leaf), celery (stalk), organic cucumber (gourd), organic kale (leaf).
- PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: <MRL PFBA
- Heavy Metals: Lead 0.056 ug/day, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium non-detect, Mercury non-detect (Does not require a Prop. 65 warning for heavy metals)
- Phthalates: 222 ppb total sum phthalates
- 500+ Pesticides: non-detect
- Glyphosate: non-detect
Llama Naturals Plant-Based Kids Multi Real Fruit Gummies
- Ingredients: Vitamin A 300 mcg, Vitamin C 30 mg, Vitamin D (as D2 & D3) 13 mcg, Vitamin E 5 mg, Vitamin K1 40 mcg, Thiamine (Vitamin B1) 0.4 mg, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 0.43 mg, Niacin 5 mg, Vitamin B6 0.57 mg, Folate 133 mcg, Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin) 0.8 mcg, Biotin 10 mcg, Pantothenic Acid 1.7 mg,
- Additional Ingredients: Organic apple (juice, puree), organic strawberry (puree), fruit & vegetable Vitamin mix, Organic rice flour, organic lemon (juice), Fruit Pectin, Organic Black carrot (juice), Organic flavor
- PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: <MRL PFBA
- Heavy Metals: Lead 0.022 ug/day for 2-3 year old & 0.033 ug/day for 4 year old, Arsenic 0.058 ug/day for 2-3 year old & 0.087 ug/day for 4 year old, Cadmium 0.02 ug/day for 2-3 year old & 0.03 for 4 year old, Mercury non-detect (Serving size 2x for 2-3 year olds, then 3x for 4 year olds)
- Phthalates: non-detect
- 500+ Pesticides: non-detect
- Glyphosate: non-detect

Best Multivitamins

These children’s multivitamins were free from PFAS “forever chemicals,” phthalates, pesticides, and levels of heavy metals that are low enough that they do not require a Prop. 65 Warning in California.

Mary Ruth’s Organic Kids Multivitamin Gummies Mixed Berry & Cherry
- Ingredients: Vitamin A (as retinyl palmitate) 200 mcg, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 20 mg, Vitamin D (as cholecalciferol) 6 mcg (240 UI), Vitamin E (as D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate) 7 mg, Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) 1.7 mg, Folate (as Methylfolate) 200 mcg DFE, Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin) 2.4 mcg, Biotin (as D-Biotin) 6 mcg, Pantothenic Acid (as Calcium D-Pantothenate) 2 mg, Iodine (as Potassium iodide) 40 mcg, Zinc (as zinc citrate) 2 mg, sodium 10 mg.
- Additional Ingredients: Organic glucose syrup, organic cane sugar, purified water, pectin, organic maltodextrin, citric acid, organic sunflower oil, organic vegetable juice color, organic fruit juice color, natural flavors, organic carnauba wax, and sodium citrate.
- PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: non-detect
- Heavy Metals: Lead 0.005 ug/day, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium non-detect, Mercury non-detect (Does not require Prop.65 warning)
- Phthalates: non-detect
- 500+ Pesticides: non-detect
- Glyphosate: non-detect
MegaFood Kids One Daily Multivitamin Soft Chews Grape Flavor with Other Natural Flavors
- Ingredients: Vitamin A (as beta carotene) 250 mcg RAE, Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 20 mg, Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) 3.3 mcg, Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol) 3.3 mg, Niacin (as niacinamide) 7 mg NE, Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride) 2 mg, Folate (as folic acid) 226 mcg DFE (136 mcg folic acid), Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) 5 mcg, Biotin 100 mcg, Pantothenic Acid (as d-panthenol) 3 mg, Chromium (as chromium picolinate) 10 mcg, Molybdenum (as molybdenum yeast) 7 mcg, Fruit phenolic blend (organic whole orange, organic cranberry, organic blueberry) 5 mg
- Additional Ingredients: organic raw cane sugar, organic rice syrup, palm oil, rice bran, natural flavors, sunflower lecithin, malic acid, fruit and vegetable juice (for color), glycerin, citric acid, rosemary leaf extract (to preserve freshness).
- PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: non-detect
- Heavy Metals: Lead <MRL, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium non-detect, Mercury non-detect (Does not require a Prop.65 Warning)
- Phthalates: non-detect
- 500+ Pesticides: non-detect
- Glyphosate: non-detect
Smarty Pants Kids Multi & Omegas Premium All-in-One Multi for Children’s Developmental Years
- Ingredients: Vitamin A (as retinyl palmitate) 180 mcg, Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), 45 mg, Vitamin D (vitamin D3 as cholecalciferol) 20 mcg (800 IU), Vitamin E (as d-alpha-tocopherol from sunflower oil) 6.6 mg, Vitamin K (vitamin K1 as phylloquinone) 20 mcg, Thiamin (vitamin B1 as thiamin mononitrate) 0.1 mg, Riboflavin (vitamin B2) 0.16 mg, Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCl) 1 mg, Folate (as L-Methylfolate, calcium salt) 250 mcg DFE, Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) 2.4 mcg, Biotin 16 mcg, Iodine (as potassium iodide) 90 mcg, Zinc (as zinc citrate) 1.6 mg, Sodium 15 mg, Fish oil 340 mg, Total omegas-3-fatty acids 100 mg, EPA and DHA 100 mg, Inositol 2mg,
- Additional Ingredients: Organic cane sugar, Organic tapioca syrup, gelatin, pectin, citric acid, colors added (organic black carrot juice concentrate, organic turmeric), natural flavors
- PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: non-detect
- Heavy Metals: Lead 0.028 ug/day, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium non-detect, Mercury non-detect (Does not require a Prop. 65 warning)
- Phthalates: non-detect
- 500+ Pesticides: non-detect
- Glyphosate: non-detect
Seeking Health Kids Multivitamin Chewable
- Ingredients: Vitamin A (as Betatene natural mixed with carotenoids and retinyl palmitate) 450 mcg RAE, Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 25 mg, Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 20 mcg, Vitamin E (as D-alpha-Tocopheryl Acid Succinate) (Navatol) 20 mg, Thiamin (as thiamine hydrochloride) 5 mg, Niacin 8 mg NE, Riboflavin (as riboflavin 5-phosphate) 2 mg, Folate (as Quatrefolic (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, glucosamine salt and calcium follinate) 20 mgc, Biotin 100 mcg, Panthothenic acid (as d-calcium panthothenate) 7 mg, Iron (as iron glycinate chelate)(Albion) 5 mg, Iodine (as potassium iodide) 90 mcg, magnesium (as Dimagnesium malate)(albion) 25 mg, Zinc (as zinc glycinate chelate)(Albion) 5 mg, Selenium (from High selenium Yeast)(SelenExcel) 25 mcg, Copper (as copper gluconate)(Albion) 0.4 mg, Maganese (as Maganese Bisglyciinate Chelate)(Albion) 0.5 mg, Chromium (as chromium nicotinate glycinate chelate)(Albion) 25 mcg, Molydbenum (as molybdenum glycinate chelate)(Albion) 25 mcg, L-Carnite tartrate 25 mg, Coenzyme Q10 (microActive) 5 mg, Boron (as Bororganic Glycinate)(Albion) 1mg, Lutein (from marigold (Tagetes erecta) extract (flowers)) 500 mcg, Zeaxanthin 500 mcg, Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-7) 30 mcg
- Additional Ingredients: xylitol, natural flavors, stearic acid, microcrystalline cellulose, malic acid, monk fruit extract, glycine, silica, and magnesium stearate.
- PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: non-detect
- Heavy Metals: Lead 0.05 ug/day, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium 0.018 ug/day, Mercury non-detect (Does not require a Prop. 65 warning)
- Phthalates: non-detect
- 500+ Pesticides: non-detect
- Glyphosate: non-detect

Mamavation’s EPA-Certified Laboratory Finds Heavy Metals, PFAS, Pesticides, & Phthalates in Popular Children’s Multivitamins

Contaminants Included in Mamavation’s EPA Certified Laboratory Testing