Taking third place on our list, Holland and Barrett ABC-Z Multivits and Minerals is a real mixed bag of pros and cons.
On the positive side, it offers a solid, well-rounded formula that provides all 13 essential vitamins, and the dosages are either at or above the recommended daily values (NRV), which ensures you’re getting a reliable baseline of daily nutritional support. The convenience factor is strong, too, as you only need one tablet a day, and it comes in a range of bottle sizes from 30 up to 240, so you can easily choose what suits your needs or budget best. A 30-day money-back guarantee adds a nice layer of reassurance.

However, the big drawback is something of a showstopper for us. It uses talc in the formulation, an ingredient flagged by the World Health Organisation as a suspected carcinogen. While it’s still permitted in supplements, it’s something many consumers prefer to avoid. With a wealth of much safer alternatives available, we cannot make any excuses for this risky choice.

There are a few other compromises to be aware of. While the formula does include most essential minerals, it falls short of a full-spectrum mineral profile, lacking both chloride and phosphorus, and it uses magnesium oxide and zinc oxide, which are less bioavailable forms. It also doesn’t include helpful extras like Lutein or CoQ10, and the vitamins aren’t methylated or activated, which might matter for individuals with certain genetic variants or absorption issues. The bulky tablets may also be challenging for some to swallow. Lastly, while it’s suitable for vegetarians, it’s not vegan, which may be a dealbreaker depending on your dietary preferences.

Overall, from the point of view of the nutrients it’s a good-quality multivitamin with consistent dosing and user-friendly packaging, but it falls down on its inclusion of harmful additives. We feel there are better, safer multivitamin options available.