Folic acid
Folic acid (pteroyl-L-glutamic acid) is the fully oxidized, synthetic form of folate, a yellow to orange crystalline powder that barely dissolves in cold water. It is made by chemical synthesis, condensing a pterin building block with p-aminobenzoyl-L-glutamic acid, then purifying the product. Because amounts per serving are in micrograms, brands buy it either as pure powder for premixes or as diluted triturations and spray-dried forms that blend evenly.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Folic acid tested to pharmacopeia or Food Chemicals Codex monographs, used by premix makers.
Folic acid diluted on a carrier such as dicalcium phosphate or maltodextrin at a stated percentage (1% and 10% are common).
Forms made to disperse in water for beverages and liquid products.
Folic acid blended with other nutrients for flour, grain and cereal enrichment.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Folic acid breaks down in light and in acidic or heated solutions, so keep it in closed, light-proof containers in a cool, dry place. Suppliers set shelf life or a retest date, with assay as the usual retest check.
Record assay and water for each lot and dose from the anhydrous assay. Keep pure folic acid and triturations as clearly separate items to avoid dosing errors.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 172.345 permits folic acid as a nutrient in food, including up to 400 micrograms per serving in breakfast cereals.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 101.9 defines one dietary folate equivalent (DFE) as 1 mcg of naturally occurring folate or 0.6 mcg of folic acid.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph lists folic acid as a source ingredient for folate.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Nanjing, China
Nanjing-based maker and marketer of ingredients for food, nutrition, personal care and feed. Its food and nutrition range includes vitamin C and the main B vitamins in several forms.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include pure crystalline (USP / FCC), triturations, spray-dried or water-dispersible powder and fortification premix. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect assay (HPLC), water (Karl Fischer), related substances, identity, heavy metals and content uniformity (triturations), each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Folic acid breaks down in light and in acidic or heated solutions, so keep it in closed, light-proof containers in a cool, dry place. Suppliers set shelf life or a retest date, with assay as the usual retest check.
21 CFR 172.345 permits folic acid as a nutrient in food, including up to 400 micrograms per serving in breakfast cereals. 21 CFR 101.9 defines one dietary folate equivalent (DFE) as 1 mcg of naturally occurring folate or 0.6 mcg of folic acid. Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph lists folic acid as a source ingredient for folate.
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