Riboflavin is yellow or orange-yellow in colour and in addition to being
used as a food colouring it is also used to fortify some foods.
It can be found in such foods as baby foods, breakfast cereals, sauces,
processed cheese, fruit drinks and vitamin-enriched milk products as
well as being widely used in vitamin supplements.
Also
known as vitamin B2 occurs naturally in milk, cheese, leafy green vegetables,
liver and yeast but exposure to light will destroy the Riboflavin in
these natural sources.
In processed foods it is very likely to be Genetically Modified as it
can be produced synthetically using genetically modified Bacillus subtilis,
altered to both increase the bacteria production of riboflavin and to
introduce an antibiotic (ampicillin) resistance marker.
It
is an easily absorbed, water-soluble micronutrient with a key role in
maintaining human health. Like the other B vitamins, it supports energy
production by aiding in the metabolising of fats, carbohydrates and
proteins. Vitamin B2 is also required for red blood cell formation and
respiration, antibody production, and for regulating human growth and
reproduction. It is essential for healthy skin, nails, hair growth and
general good health, including regulating thyroid activity. Any excess
is excreted in the urine but as the human body does not store Riboflavin
it is thought deficiency is common.
Riboflavin
also helps in the prevention or treatment of many types of eye disorders,
including some cases of cataracts. It may assist bloodshot, itching
or burning eyes and abnormal sensitivity to light.
It is difficult to incorporate Riboflavin into many liquid products
as it has poor solubility. Hence the requirement for E101a Riboflavin-5'-phosphate,
a more expensive but more soluble form of Riboflavin.
E101a
Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate
Consists mainly of the monosodium salt of the 5'-monophosphate ester
of riboflavin dihydrate obtained from chemical action on E101 Riboflavin.
It is rapidly turned to free riboflavin after ingestion.
Found
in many foods for babies and young children as well as jams, milk products
and sweets and sugar products.
Likely to be Genetically
Modified.
Spanish
foods, suppliers of serrano ham and spanish foods