Why is Vitamin A Not on the Nutrition Label Anymore? Understanding FDA Updates

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented the first major update to the Nutrition Facts label in over 20 years, a change that led many consumers to ask, why is vitamin A not on the nutrition label? The answer reveals a shift in public health focus based on current dietary intake data.

Quick Summary

The FDA removed the mandatory listing of vitamins A and C from nutrition labels because deficiencies are now rare in the U.S. The updated label mandates nutrients of greater public health concern, such as vitamin D and potassium, while listing vitamin A is optional for manufacturers.

Key Points

FDA Regulatory Update: In 2020, the FDA updated the Nutrition Facts label, shifting mandatory nutrients based on current public health data.
Rare Deficiencies: Vitamin A was made optional on the label because widespread deficiencies are no longer a major public health concern in the U.S..
Shifted Focus: The new label now emphasizes nutrients like vitamin D and potassium, which are more commonly under-consumed by Americans.
Voluntary Listing: Manufacturers can still voluntarily include vitamin A on their labels if they choose.
Importance of a Diverse Diet: Consumers can ensure adequate vitamin A intake by eating a variety of foods, especially colorful fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids.
Measurement Change: The old label used International Units (IU), while the new standard uses Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE) for more precise measurement.

The Evolution of the Nutrition Facts Label

Introduced in the early 1990s, the Nutrition Facts label has served as a critical tool for helping consumers make informed food choices. However, dietary habits and scientific understanding of nutrition have evolved significantly since then. Recognizing this, the FDA finalized sweeping updates to the label in 2016, with compliance for most manufacturers required by 2020. These revisions were designed to reflect modern nutritional science and address current public health priorities, leading to several notable changes in the label's appearance and content. The most visible changes included a refreshed design with larger, bolder calorie and serving size information, a mandate to include 'added sugars,' and the swapping of certain required vitamins and minerals.

Why the Shift Away from Mandatory Vitamin A Labeling?

At the heart of the decision to make vitamin A labeling optional was data from national health surveys, like the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which revealed that vitamin A deficiencies are no longer a widespread public health issue in the United States. In contrast, in the early 1990s when the label was first introduced, deficiencies in vitamins A and C were more common concerns. The FDA's rationale was to prioritize transparency for nutrients where significant public health concerns exist. As a result, the new label focuses on nutrients that Americans often underconsume and are linked to chronic diseases, including vitamin D and potassium.

Required vs. Voluntary Nutrients: Old vs. New Label

To better understand the change, it is helpful to compare the required vitamins and minerals on the old and new labels. The new regulations dictate that vitamin D and potassium are now required, while calcium and iron remain mandatory. This shift highlights nutrients that current dietary patterns often lack. Vitamin A, along with vitamin C, was moved to the voluntary category, meaning a manufacturer can still list it if they choose, particularly if it is a nutrient claim on the packaging.


Feature	Old Nutrition Facts Label	New Nutrition Facts Label
Design	Original, smaller font for calories and serving size.	Refreshed, larger and bolder font for calories and serving size.
Required Vitamins	Vitamin A and C, Calcium, Iron.	Vitamin D, Potassium, Calcium, Iron.
Voluntary Vitamins	Other vitamins, including B-vitamins, could be listed voluntarily.	Vitamin A and C can be listed voluntarily.
Units for Vitamin A	Often listed in International Units (IU).	Listed in micrograms Retinol Activity Equivalents (mcg RAE).
Added Sugars	Not separately listed.	Required, in grams and percent Daily Value.
Calories from Fat	Mandatory.	Removed, as the type of fat is deemed more important.

The Two Forms of Vitamin A: Retinoids and Carotenoids

Another reason contributing to the simplification of the label for vitamin A is the complexity surrounding its measurement. Vitamin A exists in two primary forms, each with a different absorption rate in the body:

Preformed Vitamin A (Retinoids): Found in animal products such as eggs, fish oil, and dairy, this form can be used by the body directly. Excessive consumption of preformed vitamin A can be toxic because the body stores it.
Provitamin A (Carotenoids): Found in plant-based sources like carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, carotenoids (like beta-carotene) must be converted by the body into usable vitamin A. This conversion process is regulated, making toxicity from plant sources extremely rare.

To account for these different absorption rates, the new measurement unit for vitamin A is Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE). However, a simpler label was adopted due to the lack of widespread deficiency and the complications involved in labeling both forms.

Ensuring Adequate Vitamin A Intake without the Label

Despite its absence on the new mandatory label, vitamin A remains an essential nutrient for good health, supporting vision, immune function, and cellular communication. Consumers should prioritize a varied diet rich in both preformed and provitamin A sources to ensure adequate intake. A simple way to get a sufficient amount is to eat a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables.

Here are some excellent dietary sources of Vitamin A:

Animal Sources (Preformed Retinoids):
- Beef liver
- Dairy products (milk, cheese)
- Eggs
- Fish (tuna, salmon)
Plant Sources (Provitamin A Carotenoids):
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Kale
- Cantaloupe
- Apricots
- Red bell peppers

Conclusion

While the disappearance of vitamin A from the mandatory Nutrition Facts label may seem like a cause for concern, it is a deliberate regulatory decision rooted in modern public health data. The FDA's aim was to provide consumers with more relevant information about nutrients of greater public health concern, such as vitamin D and potassium. This does not diminish vitamin A's importance. By understanding the label's changes and focusing on a diverse diet rich in colorful fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods, consumers can easily meet their vitamin A needs without relying on a line item on a food package.

Learn more about the latest FDA Nutrition Facts Label updates at the official source: https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/whats-nutrition-facts-label

Frequently Asked Questions

The FDA removed the mandatory listing of vitamin A because deficiencies of this vitamin are now rare in the general U.S. population, based on national surveys.

The updated label now requires vitamin D and potassium, in addition to continuing to require calcium and iron.

Yes, manufacturers can voluntarily include vitamin A on their label, even though it is no longer mandatory.

No, a food can still contain vitamin A even if it isn't listed. The label only shows mandatory nutrients unless the manufacturer decides to list optional ones.

The old label used International Units (IU), while the new standard uses Retinol Activity Equivalents (mcg RAE) to more accurately reflect the vitamin's bioavailability.

To get enough vitamin A, focus on eating a balanced diet rich in sources like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and beef liver, and don't rely solely on packaged food labels.

Vitamin A comes in preformed retinoids (from animal sources like eggs) and provitamin A carotenoids (from plant sources like carrots), which the body converts.