Vitamin D is important because it supports bone, teeth, and muscle health. However, in Scotland between October and March of each year, our bodies don’t get the proper type of sunlight that allows them to make vitamin D. Even during the rest of the year, proper sunlight typically only appears between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. In addition, it’s difficult to get enough vitamin D from food because it’s found only in a few food sources. Such sources include oily fish, eggs, and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals and spreads.
Recognising the importance of this vitamin, both Food Standards Scotland and the Care Inspectorate have published guidelines on taking supplements.
To increase our levels of vitamin D, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is encouraging everyone—including children—to take a supplement, especially from October to March or even all year long if you’re among those who are more likely to have low vitamin D levels:
· Infants and children under 5 years old
· Pregnant and breastfeeding women
· People with low sun exposure
· People from minority ethnic backgrounds who have a darker skin tone
Note that Food Standards Scotland says that taking too much vitamin D can be detrimental to your health over time. It can cause excess calcium to build up, which can weaken bones and cause kidney and heart damage so please adhere to recommendations.
Care Inspectorate2
People who don’t get much sun exposure should get a daily vitamin D supplement potentially all year round. This group includes those living in care homes.
In 2023, the Care Inspectorate published “Vitamin D supplementation in adult care homes – guidance, support material and assessment sheet” to support care home staff in offering these supplements to residents. A Scottish Government Short Life Working Group (SLWG), which was comprised of care homes and those that support care homes, developed this guidance. The SLWG was successfully piloted it in some care homes. In June of 2025, the guidance was revised with an updated section on consent issues and a Nutritional Supplement Administration Chart as requested by the sector.
The guidance
- Applies only to vitamin D supplements, which do not need to be prescribed by a healthcare professional and not to vitamin D medicines, which typically are prescription only.
- Sets out those circumstances under which care home residents either don’t need or shouldn’t be offered vitamin D supplements.
- Recommends that care home staff discuss the appropriate amount of vitamin D supplements with residents and/or their representatives on an individual basis. Staff should take into consideration the resident’s personal choice, needs and circumstances when deciding on supplements.
- Cautions staff to respect residents’ wishes about taking vitamin D.
- Informs staff about involving the proper individuals in the decision about giving a resident a supplement.
- Provides a decision-making flowchart to guide staff and an assessment sheet to record decisions about residents.
Further advice on vitamin D can be found in Eating and Drinking Well in Care: Good Practice Guidance for Older People and on NHS inform Vitamin D | NHS inform.
Source
1. “Vitamin D,” Food Standards Scotland, https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/consumer-advice/healthy-eating/balanced-diet/understanding-nutrients/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d. Accessed 13 November 2025. See the webpage for more helpful information about vitamin D and the correct dosage. For frequently asked questions about vitamin D, see FSS’s blog.
2 “Vitamin D in care homes,” Care Inspectorate’s Hub, https://hub.careinspectorate.com/resources/adults-and-older-people/vitamin-d-in-care-homes/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Accessed 13 November 2025.
