Synthetic Vitamins
NutrientOverview
Synthetic vitamins in ultra-processed foods are laboratory-created compounds that may differ structurally from natural forms, such as dl-alpha tocopherol (synthetic vitamin E) versus d-alpha tocopherol (natural). These vitamins enable mass fortification at low cost.
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Products contain this
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Ingredient variations
Common forms
Added vitamins, fortification, synthetic vitamin forms
Function
Synthetic vitamins provide economical fortification, extended stability, and precise dosing for industrial food manufacturing. They enable standardized nutritional profiles across large production volumes.
Sources
Synthetic vitamins are produced through chemical synthesis from petroleum derivatives, fermentation with GMO organisms, or chemical modification of natural precursors. Manufacturing involves multiple purification steps to achieve pharmaceutical-grade purity.
Health Considerations
Synthetic vitamins may have different absorption rates and metabolic effects than natural forms. Some individuals cannot efficiently convert synthetic forms like folic acid to active vitamers.
Regulatory
FDA approves specific synthetic vitamin forms for food fortification with established bioequivalence factors. Folic acid fortification is mandatory in enriched grains despite differences from natural folate.
Common Variations (50 total)
Products Containing Synthetic Vitamins
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