GummyTalk Forum

Hey everyone, was at Costco yesterday and saw their brand of gummy vitamin softgels on a huge sale - like 40% off the usual price. I'm stocking up for my kids, but now I'm wondering... does a lower price mean lower quality? Or is this just a legit steal? Anyone have experience with store-brand softgels vs. name brands?

As a mom, I'm always skeptical about these things too! I've tried cheaper softgels before and my kids complained they tasted 'weird' or were too hard to chew. Sometimes the fillers or sweeteners are different to cut costs. I'd check the ingredient list carefully - if it's similar to your usual brand, maybe it's fine. But if it's way cheaper, there's usually a reason...

Med student here. Price doesn't always correlate with quality in supplements. Store brands like Costco's are often manufactured in the same facilities as name brands - they're just private-labeled. The key is to compare: 1) Active ingredient amounts (e.g., vitamin D3 per softgel), 2) Third-party testing seals (USP, NSF), and 3) Expiration dates. If those match up, it's probably a good deal. Sale could be overstock or packaging change.

DIY enthusiast chiming in - I've actually dissected a few softgels to test fillers lol. Store brands sometimes use less expensive gelatin sources or different oil bases (soybean vs. olive oil), which might affect absorption slightly. But for most people, it won't matter. If the nutrition panel matches and your family tolerates it, go for it! I'd buy a small pack first to test before stocking up.

Thanks all! Great points. I checked the label and it does have a USP seal, and the vitamin amounts match our usual brand. The ingredients are slightly different (uses sunflower oil instead of coconut oil), but my kids tried one today and didn't notice. Think I'll grab another bottle since the sale ends soon. Appreciate the help!