Vitamin A Palmate Added

Vitamin A palmitate is a form of vitamin A, an essential nutrient for vision, immune function, and cell growth. It is made by combining vitamin A with palmitic acid, a fatty acid found naturally in palm oil and animal fats. The resulting compound is a more stable form of vitamin A, often used in food fortification.

Manufacturers add vitamin A palmitate to foods to increase their vitamin A content, helping consumers meet their daily nutritional needs. It is commonly found in fortified products such as milk, cereals, margarine, and infant formula. Its stability makes it a preferred choice for fortifying a variety of processed foods.

Vitamin A palmitate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a nutrient supplement. The National Academies have established upper intake levels (ULs) for vitamin A. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated vitamin A and its derivatives. Excessive intake of vitamin A, from all sources, can lead to toxicity, with symptoms including dizziness, nausea, and skin irritation. However, the amounts added to foods are typically well within safe limits.