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Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Folic acid is added to foods to increase their folate content, helping people meet …
What it is
Folic acid is a synthetic form of the B vitamin folate. Folate is naturally found in many foods. Folic acid is made industrially through chemical synthesis.
Why it's used
Folic acid is added to foods to increase their folate content, helping people meet their daily folate needs. It is commonly found in enriched grain products like breads, cereals, and pasta, as well as some other processed foods.
Health notes
In the U.S., folic acid is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a nutrient supplement. Adequate folate intake is important for cell growth and DNA formation. The FDA requires folic acid fortification in certain grain products to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects in newborns. JECFA has evaluated folic acid and established an acceptable daily intake.
Allergen info
Folic acid is not derived from any of the 9 major allergens and does not contain gluten.
Note:
This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice.
Check the package label; formulations change.