Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in food and dietary supplements

Determination of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in food with an HPLC-UV-VIS method, or in a supplement product with a UPLC-MS/MS method.

In the EU, vitamin C can be declared in the nutrition declaration of food and beverages if it is present in significant amounts. According to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, the daily reference intake for vitamin C is 80 mg. Considering this, the amount of vitamin C in the product can be declared in at least the following amounts:

• 12 mg/100 g or 100 ml in products other than beverages (15% of reference intake)

• 6 mg/100 ml in beverages (7.5% of reference intake)

• 12 mg per portion if the package only contains a single portion (15% of reference intake)

If the above requirements are met, foods can be labeled with the nutrition claim "Source of vitamin C". Further nutrition and health claims can be applied in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and Regulation (EU) No 432/2012.