Ingredient

L-threonine

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Source
Unknown
Not yet classified by editors
Allergen
No
Role in food
Manufacturers add L-threonine as a nutrient to fortify foods, particularly in specialized nutritional products, …

What it is

L-threonine is an essential amino acid, meaning the body cannot make it and it must be obtained from food. It is a building block for proteins and plays a role in various bodily functions. It can be produced through fermentation using microorganisms or isolated from animal or plant protein sources.

Why it's used

Manufacturers add L-threonine as a nutrient to fortify foods, particularly in specialized nutritional products, sports drinks, and medical foods. It is also used in animal feed to improve growth and feed efficiency. It is not typically used as a primary functional ingredient like a sweetener or preservative in common consumer foods.

Health notes

L-threonine is recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a nutrient. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated L-threonine and established an acceptable daily intake. While essential for health, very high intakes of individual amino acids are not generally recommended without specific medical guidance.

Allergen info

L-threonine is not derived from any of the 9 major allergens. It does not contain gluten.

Products containing L-threonine

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Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.