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Vitamin A Palmitate (Retinyl Palmitate)

Last reviewed October 19, 2026

In plain words: Vitamin A palmitate (retinyl palmitate) is the main storage form of preformed vitamin A. It is not beta-carotene.

What the evidence review says

Vitamin A palmitate is a form of preformed vitamin A added to some foods. Typical fortified-food amounts are small. The concern is too much preformed vitamin A from supplements, liver and many fortified foods combined: high intake early in pregnancy has been linked with birth defects, and EFSA set an upper level on that basis.

Typical fortified-food amounts are small. The concern is too much preformed vitamin A from supplements, liver and many fortified foods combined. High intake early in pregnancy has been linked with birth defects; a 1995 study found the increase concentrated when high supplemental intake occurred before the seventh week of pregnancy. EFSA in 2024 kept its adult upper level on that basis, including for pregnant and postmenopausal women. Separately, a large observational study associated long-term high retinol intake with hip fracture in postmenopausal women. A 2012 mouse study found that retinyl palmitate cream plus ultraviolet light increased skin tumors; that was a skin application in animals, not eating the vitamin.

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This page is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 19, 2026.