Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) · High-Potency Vitamin B12 for Foods, Beverages & Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12).
• Form: typically a dark red crystalline powder with intense colour even at very low concentrations.
• Potency and dosage: used at microgram per serving levels; handled via diluted premixes or trituations to achieve accurate distribution.
• Solubility: sparingly soluble in water but suitable for both dry blends and certain liquid systems when correctly formulated.
• Stability: sensitive to light, oxidising agents and extreme pH, yet reasonably stable in well-protected premixes and dry matrices.
• Function: used to fortify foods, beverages, infant/medical nutrition and supplements with vitamin B12, supporting claims related to energy, blood formation and nervous system health, where permitted.

Atlas supports customers in designing vitamin B12 premixes, carrier systems and dosing strategies to ensure homogeneous distribution and label-claim compliance at very low inclusion levels.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are agreed for each project. Typical food and nutrition-grade cyanocobalamin parameters include:

• Assay: generally 96.0–100.5% cyanocobalamin (on dried basis).
• Identification tests: confirm vitamin B12 structure via UV/visible spectra and characteristic chemical reactions in line with pharmacopeial or food-grade methods.
• Loss on drying: controlled to support powder stability and potency.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: limited according to agreed specification and regulations.
• Particle size distribution: designed for premix homogeneity, anti-segregation and flow, often via dilution on an inert carrier.
• Related substances and organic impurities: limited to meet food, infant and supplement standards.
• Heavy metals and specific contaminants: controlled to align with global and local safety requirements.
• Microbiological criteria: aligned with good manufacturing practice, with stricter limits for infant and medical nutrition uses where applicable.

Each batch is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO status, allergen statements, dietary suitability, contaminants, origin, Halal/Kosher certifications) can be provided from approved producers.

Fortified foods & breakfast products

• Breakfast cereals and cereal bars – vitamin B12 added via premixes to support complete B-complex profiles and on-pack claims.
• Bakery products – breads, buns and baked snacks where vitamin B12 is used as part of enriched or better-for-you concepts.
• Instant cereals and porridges – family and children’s products formulated under strict nutritional guidelines.

Dairy & plant-based beverages

• Dairy drinks and flavoured milks – vitamin B12 contributes to a balanced vitamin profile, delivered via liquid or dry premixes.
• Plant-based drinks (e.g. soy, oat, almond beverages) where cyanocobalamin is essential to align with or exceed dairy B12 levels, especially for vegan/vegetarian consumers.
• Ready-to-drink nutrition beverages – adult, senior and specialised nutrition drinks containing complete B-vitamin systems.

Energy drinks, shots & instant powders

• Energy drinks and shots – vitamin B12 is a core component of B-complex systems supporting energy metabolism positioning.
• Effervescent and instant drink powders – multivitamin powders where cyanocobalamin is dosed through highly diluted premixes to ensure accurate microgram delivery.
• Pre-workout and sports powders – B12 included as part of performance and recovery concepts alongside other B-vitamins and actives.

Infant, medical & specialised nutrition

• Infant formulas and follow-on formulas – vitamin B12 is mandatory in many regulations and forms part of tightly specified nutrient systems.
• Growing-up milks and children’s products – B12 levels carefully adjusted according to age-specific references and local legislation.
• Medical and clinical nutrition – cyanocobalamin used in oral supplements and enteral formulas for patients with elevated or specific nutritional needs.

Dietary supplements & B-complex formulas

• Tablets and capsules – vitamin B12 included as stand-alone or within multivitamin and B-complex formulas.
• Effervescent tablets, sticks and sachets – micro-dose cyanocobalamin in single-serve formats for daily use.
• Gummies, drops and sprays – vitamin B12 delivered in convenient dosage forms, especially for populations with increased needs or limited absorption.

Formulation guidance

• Vitamin B12 dosage is driven by:
  • Regulatory minimum and maximum levels for the category,
  • Target nutrition and health claims,
  • Specific population groups (e.g. vegans, elderly, pregnant women, patients).
• Because of its very low use level, cyanocobalamin is almost always handled as a diluted premix on carriers such as maltodextrin or other food-grade excipients.
• Stability is affected by light, oxidising conditions, pH and temperature; protection via premix design, packaging (light barrier) and careful process sequencing is recommended.
• Analytical verification of vitamin B12 in finished products requires validated methods due to low levels and complex matrices.
• Regulatory and nutrition teams must confirm authorised forms, maximum levels, warning statements and labelling rules for each destination market and product category.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or nutrition-grade vitamin B12 with agreed specifications for assay, impurities, colour and physical properties.
• Each batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet describing key test parameters and analytical methods.
• Additional documentation can include GMO status, allergen declarations, contaminants and heavy metal data, dietary suitability (e.g. vegetarian/vegan where applicable), BSE/TSE statements, origin and Halal/Kosher certificates, depending on producer and grade.
• Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC/ISO 22000), with further certifications available on request.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, maximum levels, enrichment standards, claim wording and labelling in each destination market.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: usually 25 kg fibre drums or cartons with inner liners, or smaller packs for premix use, designed to protect from light and moisture.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container shipments together with other vitamins, sweeteners, acidulants, minerals and functional ingredients.
• Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light, heat and odour-intensive materials to preserve vitamin content and powder quality.
• Typical shelf life is defined in the product specification and on the COA; customers should verify vitamin B12 retention in their own processes and finished products via stability studies.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored offer, please share your intended applications (cereals, bakery, dairy or plant-based drinks, energy drinks, instant powders, infant/medical nutrition, supplements, etc.), target vitamin B12 level per serving, annual volume, packaging needs, documentation/certification requirements and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable grades and premix concepts.