BASF Reports Vitamin D Sales Increases

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.BASF Corporation reported its customers are experiencing double-digit vitamin D sales, which reflects a recent report from Euromonitor that found U.S. sales of single-entity vitamin D supplements (not including multi-vitamins) rose 22.4 percent from 2009 to 2010. Santiago Vega, product manager, human nutrition, BASF Corporation noted with increased sales, manufacturers of dietary supplements, foods and beverages are looking for opportunities to differentiate their products in the crowded marketplace.

The demand has never been greater for vitamin D3 with a long shelf-life at room temperature and excellent stability in the final application," Vega said, adding BASFs customers are escalating their needs for quality ingredients that meet the high-safety standards and regulatory requirements worldwide.

Secure supply is paramount in any situation, but it is especially important with vitamin D to meet the large demand for raw material with unsurpassed stability and content uniformity, he said.

Vega explained BASF offers its vitamin D customers traceability information through GTNet, available at any time anywhere in the world.   BASFs S.E.T. initiative also allows customers to measure sustainability throughout the entire value chain.

Also driving demand could be last years Institute of Medicine (IOM) panel increase of the recommended daily intake (RDI) for vitamin D to 600 international units (IU) for individuals aged 1 to70 and to 800 IU for adults older than 70.