ADM increases vitamin E price

The price increase, which will be implemented immediately, will affect the company's entire natural-source vitamin E and mixed tocopherol product lines. The company would not reveal the level of the price hikes, but said these would affect oil and powder versions of d-alpha tocopherol, d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, d-alpha tocopheryl acid succinate and mixed tocopherols. ADM said it supplies over 30 different versions of these ingredients, in both oil and powder forms. The company markets its natural-source vitamin E and mixed tocopherols under the Novatol and Decanox brands. Greg Dodson, business director, ADM Natural Health & Nutrition told NutraIngredients-USA.com that the company produces vitamin E from natural sources and does not produce synthetic vitamin E. Natural-source vitamin E and mixed tocopherols are derived from natural oilseeds such as soybeans and corn, he said. The ingredients are mainly used in food supplements and food and beverage products, as well as in the personal care, pet food and feed industries. The price increases, said ADM, are due to higher energy, transportation and raw-material costs. There are eight forms of vitamin E: four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). Alpha-tocopherol (alpha-Toc) is the main source found in supplements and in the European diet, while gamma-tocopherol (gamma-Toc) is the most common form in the American diet. Studies have linked vitamin E to a host of health benefits, such as improving the function of the liver and thereby strengthening the body's defence system, as well as helping to protect against Alzheimer's disease. It is also thought to have an anti-cancer effect.