EFSA opinion on vitamin folic acid and folates

As part of the re-evaluation of the maximum daily intakes for various vitamins and minerals, the EFSA* Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) has published a final opinion on folic acid and folates.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been working for some time on the re-evaluation of tolerable daily intakes of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

 

The "tolerable upper intake level" (UL) for folate should not exceed 1000 µg folate per day from fortified foods and food supplements for adults and pregnant and breastfeeding women. 

The UL for children was derived according to age.

 

Age group

tolerable upper intake level/day

4 – 11 months

200 µg

1 – 3 years

200 µg

4 – 6 years

300 µg

7 – 10 years

400 µg

11 – 14 years

600 µg

15 – 17 years

800 µg

Adults

1000 µg

Pregnant women

Breastfeeding mothers

 

The intake amounts refer to the compounds used as vitamin sources: Folic acid, 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid glucosamine and L-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid calcium salts or their combination.

 

YOUR PLUS: AGROLAB LUFA is one of the most renowned vitamin laboratories in Europe with decades of experience in the analysis of complex matrices. In addition to the classic chromatographic methods, we are one of the few institutes to also carry out accredited biological active ingredient determinations for folic acid and folates, among others. 

 

*EFSA: European Food Safety Authority https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en 

 

Author: Dr Frank Mörsberger