Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) · Folic Acid for Fortified Flours, Cereals, Infant & Maternal Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: Folic acid (pteroylmonoglutamic acid, vitamin B9).
• Form: typically a yellow or yellow-orange crystalline powder with no significant odour at use levels.
• Potency and dose: folic acid is used at very low inclusion levels (usually mg/kg or below), requiring careful premix design and dispersion.
• Solubility: sparingly soluble in water; usually incorporated via diluted premixes or trituations for accurate dosing.
• Stability: good stability in dry systems, with sensitivity to light, oxidation, high temperature and certain pH conditions, particularly in liquid products.
• Function: used to fortify flours, cereals, infant and medical nutrition and supplements with vitamin B9, supporting neural tube and maternal health claims where permitted and helping meet national enrichment standards.

Atlas works with fortification and R&D teams on premix design, dosing strategy and analytical control for folic acid across cereal, infant, clinical and supplement applications.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are agreed for each project. Typical food and nutrition-grade folic acid parameters include:

• Assay: generally 95.0–102.0% folic acid (on dried basis).
• Identification tests: confirm folic acid structure and purity according to pharmacopeial or food-grade methods.
• Loss on drying: controlled to ensure powder stability and potency.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: limited according to specification and applicable regulations.
• Particle size distribution: designed to support premix homogeneity, anti-segregation and flow at low inclusion rates.
• Related substances and organic impurities: limited to comply with food, infant and supplement standards.
• Heavy metals and specific contaminants: controlled to meet global and local regulatory requirements.
• Microbiological criteria: aligned with good manufacturing practice, with tighter limits for infant and medical nutrition uses where applicable.

Each batch is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO status, allergens, dietary suitability, contaminants, origin, Halal/Kosher certifications) can be provided from approved producers.

Flour & cereal enrichment

• Wheat and other cereal flours – folic acid is part of mandatory or voluntary enrichment programs in many countries, alongside other vitamins and iron.
• Breakfast cereals and cereal bars – vitamin B9 added via premixes to support on-pack claims and enrichment targets.
• Instant cereal and porridge products – formulations for infants, children and families with folic acid levels aligned to local guidelines.

Bakery & snack applications

• Breads, rolls and buns – produced from enriched flour or with additional folic acid premixes.
• Biscuits, crackers and baked snacks – folic acid used in fortified and better-for-you concepts, often together with other B-vitamins and minerals.
• Extruded cereal and snack products – folic acid incorporated via premixes and dry coatings, with consideration of process losses.

Fortified foods, beverages & instant powders

• Fortified juices and drinks – folic acid added at very low inclusion levels using diluted premixes, with attention to pH, heat and light exposure.
• Instant drink powders and nutrition shakes – folic acid dosed as part of multi-vitamin/mineral premixes for adult and family nutrition.
• Meal-replacement and weight-management beverages – folic acid contributes to vitamin profile and claim support as part of complete nutrition systems.

Infant, medical & specialised nutrition

• Infant formulas and follow-on formulas – folic acid is included in strictly regulated nutrient systems, with grade and purity aligned to category requirements.
• Growing-up milks and children’s products – folic acid levels adjusted to age-specific references and legislation.
• Medical and clinical nutrition – used in oral supplements and enteral formulas for patients with elevated nutritional needs, subject to robust documentation and quality control.

Dietary supplements & prenatal formulas

• Prenatal and maternal supplements – folic acid is a core component of many prenatal multivitamins, often combined with iron, iodine and other micronutrients.
• General multivitamin and B-complex products – folic acid included in tablet, capsule, effervescent and gummy formats.
• Targeted formulations – folic acid combined with other nutrients in condition-specific supplements, always subject to local maximum levels and claim rules.

Formulation guidance

• Folic acid dosage is determined by:
  • Regulatory minimum and maximum levels for the category (especially infant and prenatal),
  • Enrichment and public health programs applicable to flours and cereals,
  • Desired nutrition and health claims, within permitted frameworks.
• Because of the very low inclusion level, folic acid is usually handled via carefully designed vitamin premixes to secure homogeneous distribution.
• Process losses depend on temperature, pH, oxygen and light exposure; dose setting should consider validated overages where legally permitted.
• Analytical methods (e.g. HPLC) should be selected and validated for reliable vitamin B9 determination in finished products, especially in complex matrices.
• Regulatory and nutrition teams must confirm authorised forms, maximum levels, warning statements and labelling rules in each destination market and product category.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or nutrition-grade vitamin B9 with agreed specifications for assay, impurities and physical properties.
• Each batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet detailing key test parameters and analytical methods.
• Additional documentation can include GMO status, allergen declarations, contaminants and heavy metal data, dietary suitability (e.g. vegetarian/vegan where applicable), BSE/TSE statements, origin, natural/synthetic descriptors and Halal/Kosher certificates, depending on the selected producer and grade.
• Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC/ISO 22000), with further certifications available on request.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, enrichment rules, maximum levels, claim wording and label declarations in each destination market.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: usually 25 kg fibre drums or cartons with inner liners to protect against moisture and light; alternative pack sizes can be evaluated for specific premix or manufacturing setups.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container shipments together with other vitamins, sweeteners, acidulants, minerals and functional ingredients.
• Store in a cool, dry place, protected from heat, light and odour-intensive materials to preserve vitamin content, colour and powder quality.
• Typical shelf life is defined in the product specification and on the COA; customers should confirm folic acid retention in their own processes and finished products via stability studies.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored offer, please share your intended applications (flour and cereal enrichment, bakery, instant powders, infant/medical nutrition, prenatal or general supplements, etc.), target vitamin B9 level per serving, annual volume, packaging needs, documentation/certification requirements and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable grades and premix concepts.