Mixed tocopherols

Mixed tocopherols suppliers and sourcing guide

Mixed tocopherols are a concentrate of the alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols that occur naturally in vegetable oils. They are recovered from the distillate produced when soybean, rapeseed or sunflower oil is deodorized, concentrated by vacuum or molecular distillation, and diluted with vegetable oil to a stated total tocopherol content. The gamma and delta forms usually dominate. Brands buy them mainly to slow oxidation in oils, fats, omega-3 oils, flavors and vitamin premixes.

See suppliers What to ask for on the COA

Category: Vitamins and minerals
Also known as: Tocopherols concentrate, mixed · Mixed tocopherol concentrate · Tocopherol-rich extract · E306 · INCI: TOCOPHEROL
Facts checked: November 2026

Forms and grades of mixed tocopherols

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

Standard concentrates
Oils sold by total tocopherol content, commonly from about 50% to 95%, with the alpha, beta, gamma and delta split stated on the specification.
Soy-free and non-GMO grades
Concentrates from sunflower or rapeseed oil for soy-free or non-GMO labels.
Dry powder
Tocopherols on a silica, starch or gum acacia carrier for dry mixes and powders.
Blends with rosemary extract or ascorbyl palmitate
Ready-made blends for oils and fats; check the full composition before declaring a single ingredient.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Total tocopherols and profile: Total tocopherol content and the alpha, beta, gamma and delta split by HPLC or GC.
Identity: Chromatographic match to tocopherol reference standards, plus appearance and color.
Acid value and peroxide value: Free acidity and oxidation of the concentrate, both signs of aging or poor storage.
Heavy metals: Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS against supplier or Food Chemicals Codex limits.
Residual solvents and pesticides: Solvents from processing and pesticide residues carried over from the source oil, depending on the process.
Allergen and GMO documentation: Statements on soy protein residue and GMO status, needed for soy-derived grades.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Mixed tocopherols oxidize in air and light and darken as they do, so keep containers full, tightly closed and nitrogen-flushed in a cool, dark place. They are viscous at room temperature; warm gently to dispense rather than overheating. Suppliers set shelf life, with total tocopherol assay as the usual retest check.

Lots and expiry dates

The ratio of alpha, gamma and delta tocopherols varies with oil source and lot, so record the full profile, not just total tocopherols. Keep soy-derived and soy-free lots as separate items and file allergen paperwork by lot.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

21 CFR 182.3890 lists tocopherols as generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
7 CFR 205.605(b) lists tocopherols derived from vegetable oil, when rosemary extracts are not a suitable alternative, among synthetic substances allowed in products labeled "organic" or "made with organic."
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
Health Canada's List of Permitted Preservatives includes tocopherols (alpha-tocopherol; tocopherols concentrate, mixed) as a preservative in specified foods.
Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)
A Health Canada natural health product monograph lists mixed tocopherol concentrate with the seed of rapeseed (Brassica napus, Brassica rapa), safflower, soybean, sunflower and corn as source materials.
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.

Mixed tocopherols suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking mixed tocopherols suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of mixed tocopherols can brands buy?

Common forms include standard concentrates, soy-free and non-GMO grades, dry powder and blends with rosemary extract or ascorbyl palmitate. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for mixed tocopherols include?

Expect total tocopherols and profile, identity, acid value and peroxide value, heavy metals, residual solvents and pesticides and allergen and GMO documentation, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should mixed tocopherols be stored?

What is the regulatory status of mixed tocopherols?

21 CFR 182.3890 lists tocopherols as generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice. 7 CFR 205.605(b) lists tocopherols derived from vegetable oil, when rosemary extracts are not a suitable alternative, among synthetic substances allowed in products labeled "organic" or "made with organic." Health Canada's List of Permitted Preservatives includes tocopherols (alpha-tocopherol; tocopherols concentrate, mixed) as a preservative in specified foods. A Health Canada natural health product monograph lists mixed tocopherol concentrate with the seed of rapeseed (Brassica napus, Brassica rapa), safflower, soybean, sunflower and corn as source materials.

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