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Vitamin A palmitate

Vitamin A palmitate suppliers and sourcing guide

Vitamin A palmitate (retinyl palmitate) is the ester of retinol with palmitic acid, a pale yellow oil or soft, low-melting solid. Commercial material is made by total chemical synthesis of retinol from beta-ionone building blocks, followed by esterification with palmitic acid. It is very sensitive to oxygen, light and heat, so brands usually buy it as a stabilized oil concentrate or as beadlets and spray-dried powders rather than as the neat ester.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Retinyl palmitate · Retinol palmitate · INCI: RETINYL PALMITATE · CAS 79-81-2
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of vitamin A palmitate

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

  • Oil concentrate

    Retinyl palmitate in vegetable oil with added stabilizers, sold by potency (commonly around 1.0 or 1.7 million IU/g) for softgels, liquid products and milk fortification.

  • Beadlets and spray-dried powders

    Retinyl palmitate held in a gelatin, gum acacia or modified starch matrix at a stated IU/g, built to survive blending and tablet compression.

  • Cold-water-dispersible (CWS) powder

    Powder made to disperse in water, for beverages, drink mixes and reconstituted milk powders.

  • Stabilizer and matrix options

    Grades differ in stabilizer (mixed tocopherols versus BHT or BHA) and in matrix (gelatin versus plant-based), which decides clean-label, vegetarian, kosher and halal fit.

  • Cosmetic grade

    Retinyl palmitate supplied for personal care, usually in oil with stabilizers, under a cosmetic specification separate from food and supplement grades.

What to check on the COA

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

Assay (HPLC or UV)
Vitamin A content in IU/g or mg per gram by HPLC or UV spectrophotometry; this number sets formula input and overage.
Identity
HPLC retention time against a retinyl palmitate reference standard, or the identity tests in the USP or FCC monograph.
Peroxide and acid value (oil forms)
Oxidation of the oil concentrate; rising values point to degraded or poorly stored material.
Loss on drying and particle size (dry forms)
Moisture and sieve analysis for beadlets and powders, which affect flow, blend uniformity and stability.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, usually by ICP-MS, against the supplier specification or the applicable monograph.
Microbiology (dry forms)
Total aerobic count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella for beadlets and powders used in food and supplements.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Vitamin A palmitate oxidizes and isomerizes when exposed to air, light and heat, so it is supplied in nitrogen-flushed, light-resistant containers. Keep unopened containers cool and dry as the supplier specifies, use opened containers quickly, and re-flush with nitrogen if material is left over. Shelf life is set by the supplier, and potency by HPLC is the main retest check.

Lots and expiry dates

Potency varies by lot and falls with age, so calculate formula input from each lot's actual assay and include an overage for losses over the finished product's shelf life. Record the stabilizer, carrier and IU/g for each lot and rotate stock FEFO.

Regulatory status

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

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.

Vitamin A palmitate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking vitamin A palmitate 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 vitamin A palmitate can brands buy?

Common forms include oil concentrate, beadlets and spray-dried powders, cold-water-dispersible (CWS) powder, stabilizer and matrix options and cosmetic grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for vitamin A palmitate include?

Expect assay (HPLC or UV), identity, peroxide and acid value (oil forms), loss on drying and particle size (dry forms), heavy metals and microbiology (dry forms), each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should vitamin A palmitate be stored?

Vitamin A palmitate oxidizes and isomerizes when exposed to air, light and heat, so it is supplied in nitrogen-flushed, light-resistant containers. Keep unopened containers cool and dry as the supplier specifies, use opened containers quickly, and re-flush with nitrogen if material is left over. Shelf life is set by the supplier, and potency by HPLC is the main retest check.

What is the regulatory status of vitamin A palmitate?

21 CFR 184.1930 describes vitamin A palmitate (retinyl palmitate) as the palmitate ester of retinol, prepared by esterifying retinol with palmitic acid. 21 CFR 184.1930 affirms vitamin A as GRAS as a nutrient supplement, used in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists vitamin A palmitate with the technical effects "color or coloring adjunct" and "nutrient supplement" and cites 21 CFR 184.1930. Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph lists all-trans-retinyl palmitate as a source ingredient for vitamin A.

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