Vitamin A ビタミンA

In Japan: Foods with Nutrient Function Claims and the Dietary Reference Intakes

Wording allowed (current)

“Vitamin A is a nutrient that helps maintain night vision.”

“Vitamin A is a nutrient that helps maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes.”

Amount per daily serving

231-600 μg (within this range, the wording above may be used without notification)

Proposed revision

“Vitamin A is a nutrient that helps keep vision in the dark normal.”

“Vitamin A is one of the nutrients that helps maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes.”

Amount: 231-600 μg

Referred to the Consumer Commission on July 17, 2026. The proposal includes a transition period allowing the current wording until March 31, 2030.

Dietary Reference Intakes (2025, ages 30–49)

Recommended dietary allowance: men 900 μg RAE, women 700 μg RAE / tolerable upper intake level 2,700 μg RAE (does not include beta-carotene and similar)

• For Foods with Nutrient Function Claims, there is a rule to display a caution about excessive intake for women who are within 3 months of pregnancy or who hope to become pregnant.

In the EU: the register of health claims

EU-authorised claimIn the register: 0 authorised, 0 not authorised

• Claims such as vision, skin, mucous membranes, and immune function are authorised.

In the EU, only health claims whose evidence has been assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and authorised by the European Commission may be used on food. “Not authorised” means the evidence for that claim was not established under EU standards — not that the ingredient is dangerous.

What the US NIH says

• Large trials (CARET and ATBC) found that smokers and people exposed to asbestos who take high-dose beta-carotene have more lung cancer.
• Taking too much vitamin A (retinol) causes liver abnormalities and, during pregnancy, effects on the fetus.

Sources: MHLW eJIM "Vitamin A and carotenoids"

Other ingredients in the same categories

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B12
• Folate (folic acid)