Vitamin A Palmitate 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 (retinol) with palmitic acid, which can be derived from animal sources like palm oil or animal fats. It is often used to fortify foods.

Manufacturers add vitamin A palmitate to foods to increase their vitamin A content, as it is more stable than other forms of vitamin A. It is commonly found in fortified products such as milk, margarine, cereals, and infant formula.

In the US, vitamin A palmitate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a nutrient supplement. Excessive intake of vitamin A can lead to adverse health effects, but typical amounts added to foods are unlikely to cause harm. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated vitamin A and its derivatives, establishing acceptable daily intakes. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have set upper intake levels for vitamin A.