Vitamins

What manufacturers buy here

This category covers the 13 vitamins of Directive 2002/46/EC in the chemical forms formulators specify. It also includes choline and inositol, which are bought alongside them. Most formulators group the range by solubility, because solubility decides the format and the process.

Water-soluble vitamins:

• Vitamin C: ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate and calcium ascorbate.
• Vitamin B1 as thiamine hydrochloride or thiamine mononitrate. Vitamin B2 as riboflavin or riboflavin 5’-phosphate sodium.
• Vitamin B3 as nicotinamide or nicotinic acid. Vitamin B5 as calcium D-pantothenate.
• Vitamin B6 as pyridoxine hydrochloride or pyridoxal 5’-phosphate. Biotin.
• Folate as folic acid or L-methylfolate calcium; see folic acid vs L-methylfolate.
• Vitamin B12 as cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin; see methylcobalamin vs cyanocobalamin.

Fat-soluble vitamins:

• Vitamin A as retinyl acetate or retinyl palmitate.
• Vitamin D as cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol; see vitamin D2 vs vitamin D3.
• Vitamin E as d- or dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, d-alpha-tocopheryl succinate or mixed tocopherols.
• Vitamin K as phylloquinone (K1) or menaquinone-7 (K2).

Related substances: choline bitartrate and myo-inositol.

Choosing within the category

Chemical form. Esters such as retinyl acetate and tocopheryl acetate are generally more stable in processing than the free alcohols. Ascorbate salts are less acidic than ascorbic acid, but they add sodium or calcium to the label.

Physical form for microgram vitamins. Vitamin D, vitamin B12, folic acid and biotin are declared in micrograms. They are often handled as dilutions on a carrier rather than as the neat substance. The active content per gram then differs, so check it before you calculate.

Label arithmetic and overage. Work from the active content stated on the specification sheet and certificate of analysis, which SoleChem sends with its quote. The vitamin unit converter handles unit conversions. The overage calculator covers potency loss during shelf life.

Format. Water-soluble forms suit effervescent tablets and drink powders. Oil-soluble forms suit softgels or need a dry powder grade for tablets and capsules.

Regulatory notes

Vitamins in EU food supplements may be used only in the forms listed in Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC, and label amounts use the units in Annex I. Annex II has been amended several times, so check each form against the current consolidated text and the permitted-forms guide. Some forms may also fall under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods; see the novel food guide. Choline and inositol are not Annex I vitamins and follow national rules, and maximum levels are also set nationally.