Food additive databasenutrient (fortification)Checked 2026-10-02

Vitamin A Esters of Fatty Acids (Retinol Fatty Acids Esters) ビタミンA脂肪酸エステル（別名レチノール脂肪酸エステル）

Designated additiveNot on the EU additive list

Purpose: nutrient (fortification)
On the label: “ビタミンAエステル” (vitamin A ester), “レチノールエステル” (retinol ester), “ビタミンA” (vitamin A), “V.A” (vitamin A)
Name in the List of Designated Additives: ビタミンA脂肪酸エステル（別名レチノール脂肪酸エステル） (No. 321)

In Japan

An ester of vitamin A (retinol) and a fatty acid, included among the additives considered to be used for nutritional fortification (vitamins).
The short names are “ビタミンAエステル” (vitamin A ester), “レチノールエステル” (retinol ester), “ビタミンA” (vitamin A), and “V.A” (vitamin A). When used for nutritional fortification, it can be omitted from the ingredient list (excluding foods for special dietary uses and foods with function claims).

Japan's standards for use

Storage standard for vitamin A oil (oily vitamin A fatty acid esters): store in a light-shielding airtight container, with the air replaced by an inert gas

This is a summary of the standards for use. See the source list for the exact conditions.

In the EU

It is not on the EU list of food additives (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II), so it cannot be used as a food additive in the EU.
In the EU, they are not food additives; retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate are listed in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 as forms of vitamin that may be added to foods.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-02. Rules and evaluations change over time. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.

This page lists facts stated in laws and in evaluations by public bodies; it is not a safety verdict. Additives used in Japan are approved by the government, which sets the foods and amounts they can be used in. The ADI is a guide to the amount that is considered safe to take every day over a lifetime.

Other substances used as nutrient (fortification)

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