Includes Milk Vitamin A Palmitate Added

Vitamin A palmitate is a form of vitamin A that is fat-soluble. It is made by combining vitamin A (retinol) with palmitic acid, which is a fatty acid found naturally in palm oil and animal fats. This combination helps stabilize vitamin A, making it last longer in food products.

Manufacturers add vitamin A palmitate to fortify foods, meaning they add nutrients that might be lacking. It is often added to milk and dairy products to replace vitamin A that can be lost during processing. It can also be found in cereals, margarine, and infant formulas.

Vitamin A palmitate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a nutrient supplement. Vitamin A is essential for vision, immune function, and cell growth. Excessive intake of vitamin A can lead to health problems, but this is unlikely from typical food consumption. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated vitamin A and its derivatives.