Riboflavin-5-Phosphate
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate is a food-grade vitamin B2 derivative used in selected food and beverage systems where manufacturers require yellow to orange-yellow colour contribution, improved water compatibility, shade standardisation, nutrient-related positioning or premix-ready colour functionality. It is particularly relevant for applications where standard riboflavin powder may present dispersion, solubility or sediment challenges. This page is prepared for purchasing teams, R&D formulators, QA departments, beverage technologists, colour specialists, nutrition developers and import coordinators who need a structured starting point for grade selection, specification review, application trials, document collection and quotation requests.
Product identity
| Product | Riboflavin-5-Phosphate |
|---|---|
| Common commercial references | Riboflavin-5'-phosphate, riboflavin 5 phosphate, riboflavin-5-phosphate sodium, flavin mononucleotide, FMN, vitamin B2 phosphate, E101 family colour |
| Category | Colours & Colouring Foods |
| Primary function | Yellow food colour, water-dispersible colour ingredient, shade-standardisation component and vitamin B2 derivative |
| Secondary function | Nutrient-related formulation ingredient where vitamin B2 contribution is technically and legally relevant |
| E / INS number | E101 / INS 101 family where applicable; some markets distinguish riboflavin, riboflavin-5-phosphate and salt forms |
| CAS / identity | 130-40-5; confirm exact chemical form, hydration and salt identity in supplier documentation |
| Chemical identity | Phosphorylated riboflavin derivative, commonly associated with FMN or riboflavin-5-phosphate sodium grades |
| Typical appearance | Yellow to orange-yellow powder or preparation, depending on active content, carrier and salt form |
| Typical form | Powder, sodium salt, water-dispersible powder, liquid preparation, dispersion, premix, beadlet, solution-compatible grade or custom blend |
| Typical use concept | Yellow shade development, water-phase colour delivery, colour standardisation, vitamin-related positioning and improved handling in aqueous food systems |
Application fit
Potential use areas may include:
- Beverages, beverage concentrates, fortified drinks and powdered drink systems
- Confectionery, gummies, jellies, compressed sweets and wellness-positioned candies
- Dairy desserts, plant-based desserts, yoghurts, custards and creams
- Sauces, dressings, soups, savoury mixes and yellow shade-standardisation systems
- Snacks, seasonings, extruded products and coated savoury products
- Bakery, cereals, noodles, pasta and flour-based fortified systems
- Nutrition powders, meal replacements, sports nutrition and vitamin premixes
- Tablet, capsule, supplement and medical-nutrition style applications where permitted
Technical purchasing notes
When reviewing Riboflavin-5-Phosphate, compare the supplier specification against the intended use as a colour, water-dispersible vitamin derivative, fortification ingredient, premix component or dual-function colour-nutrient ingredient. Industrial purchasing should define the exact chemical form, assay basis, solubility requirement, colour shade target, pH range, process conditions, packaging exposure, regulatory market and documentation needs before comparing offers.
Industrial role and performance profile
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate is selected when a manufacturer needs the colour and vitamin identity of riboflavin with improved practical compatibility in water-based or premix systems. It can support yellow to orange-yellow shade development, especially in beverages, desserts, sauces, nutrition products and water-phase colour systems. Its industrial value depends on the balance between colour intensity, dispersibility, assay accuracy, light stability, pH compatibility, heat exposure, sediment control and label requirements.
Water-phase colour delivery
Compared with standard riboflavin powder, Riboflavin-5-Phosphate grades are often selected for easier use in aqueous systems. Beverage, syrup, dairy and sauce applications should still test dissolution, sediment, haze, ring formation and colour consistency.
Yellow shade standardisation
The ingredient can provide yellow to orange-yellow tones. Final shade depends on dosage, active content, product pH, opacity, proteins, minerals, stabilisers, heat process, packaging and light exposure.
Vitamin B2 identity
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate is related to vitamin B2 and may contribute to vitamin-related formulation objectives. Nutrient claims and declarations must be calculated from validated assay and finished-product retention data.
Light-sensitive formulation
Riboflavin derivatives can be sensitive to UV and visible light. Transparent bottles, clear sachets, retail display lighting and long storage should be tested under realistic conditions.
Grade selection guide
Different Riboflavin-5-Phosphate grades may be designed for different functions. The correct grade should be selected according to whether the priority is colour, vitamin contribution, aqueous dispersion, clear beverage compatibility, dry premix handling, tablet blending or custom fortification.
| Grade or format | Industrial relevance | Purchasing note |
|---|---|---|
| Riboflavin-5-phosphate sodium powder | Common form for improved water compatibility and yellow colour contribution in suitable systems. | Confirm exact salt form, assay basis, sodium contribution, solubility, pH range and CAS identity. |
| Water-dispersible grade | Useful for beverages, syrups, dairy desserts, sauces and liquid nutrition products. | Request dispersion method, sediment data, haze behaviour, carrier system and label declaration. |
| Fine powder grade | Useful for dry blends, vitamin premixes, colour premixes and powdered products. | Review dusting, electrostatic behaviour, particle size, flowability and blend uniformity. |
| Premix or carrier-diluted grade | Designed for lower-concentration dosing, improved distribution and reduced micro-dosing error. | Request full composition, carrier identity, potency, homogeneity data and allergen/GMO status. |
| Liquid preparation or dispersion | Suitable for factories that need direct dosing into liquids, syrups or wet mixes. | Confirm active content, pH, preservatives, microbial limits, viscosity, storage stability and after-opening handling. |
| Beadlet or protected grade | Useful where dust reduction, handling protection or premix stability is needed. | Check coating materials, dissolution behaviour, heat stability, label declaration and release profile. |
| Custom colour-nutrient blend | May combine Riboflavin-5-Phosphate with carriers, other colours, vitamins, minerals or functional ingredients. | Request full formula, legal review, compatibility data, dosage guidance and target-market declaration. |
Key specification parameters to compare
A professional Riboflavin-5-Phosphate offer should include chemical identity, assay, solubility, colour performance and safety documentation. Buyers should compare active content, assay basis, salt form, impurity profile, heavy metals, microbiology, particle size, light stability, carrier system and batch consistency before commercial approval.
| Parameter | Why it matters | Recommended buyer action |
|---|---|---|
| Assay / active content | Determines colour strength, vitamin-related contribution and dosage calculation. | Request assay method, specification limits and batch COA value. |
| Exact chemical form | Riboflavin-5-phosphate, sodium salt, hydrate and premix grades can differ in solubility and label declaration. | Confirm identity, CAS reference, molecular form and market-specific declaration. |
| Solubility / dispersibility | Critical for beverages, syrups, liquid colours, dairy desserts and wet systems. | Test in the actual process water, pH, minerals, stabilisers, heat treatment and final packaging. |
| Colour strength / shade | Supports standardisation when used primarily as a yellow colour. | Compare shade panels, dosage curves or instrument colour data in the finished product matrix. |
| pH compatibility | Colour tone and stability may differ in acidic, neutral or alkaline systems. | Run pH-specific testing, especially for beverages, sauces and dairy alternatives. |
| Particle size | Influences wetting, specking, blend uniformity, sedimentation and dusting. | Request mesh size, D10/D50/D90 or supplier particle-size range where relevant. |
| Light stability | Riboflavin derivatives can degrade under light exposure. | Conduct shelf-life trials in the final packaging under expected retail lighting. |
| Moisture / loss on drying | Can affect caking, flowability, assay stability and premix performance. | Confirm moisture limits, water activity where available and packaging barrier. |
| Heavy metals | Important for food safety, import clearance and customer approval. | Request limits and batch values for lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and other required elements. |
| Carrier and processing aids | Dispersible, liquid and premix grades may include carriers or processing aids affecting label wording. | Request full composition, allergen statement, GMO statement and destination-market label review. |
Application guidance by industry
Beverages and concentrates
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate is often evaluated in beverages where better water compatibility is needed. It can support yellow colour and vitamin-related positioning in drink powders, ready-to-drink products, syrups, concentrates and nutritional beverages.
- Useful target: yellow shade delivery with improved water-phase compatibility.
- Watch point: transparent packaging and retail lighting can affect stability.
- RFQ note: provide pH, heat process, clarity target, packaging type and target dosage.
Confectionery and gummies
In gummies, jellies, hard candies, compressed sweets and wellness-positioned confectionery, Riboflavin-5-Phosphate may provide yellow shade and vitamin-related identity. Trials should review acid system, cooking temperature, gelatin or pectin compatibility and light exposure.
- Useful target: bright yellow shade and nutrient-related positioning.
- Watch point: heat, acid and light conditions require finished-product retention testing.
- RFQ note: specify confectionery type, process temperature and target colour strength.
Dairy and plant-based desserts
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate can be used in custards, puddings, yoghurts, drinkable dairy, plant-based desserts and cream systems. Protein, fat, stabilisers, pH and heat treatment can influence shade and stability.
- Useful target: custard, vanilla, banana or fortified dessert colour.
- Watch point: transparent cups and illuminated displays can increase light exposure.
- RFQ note: provide pH, heat process, fat level, stabiliser system and packaging format.
Sauces, soups and savoury systems
In sauces, soups, dressings, savoury mixes and seasonings, Riboflavin-5-Phosphate can help standardise yellow tone. It should be tested with salt, acids, oils, proteins, starches, spices and heat treatment.
- Useful target: golden-yellow shade in water-based savoury systems.
- Watch point: turmeric, paprika, annatto or caramel colours may shift the final shade.
- RFQ note: share pH, oil phase, heat process and target colour standard.
Snacks and seasonings
For extruded snacks, dry seasoning blends, coated snacks and savoury powders, Riboflavin-5-Phosphate may be used in a dry premix or slurry. Uniform distribution is important to avoid specking, local colour intensity or nutrient variation.
- Useful target: shade standardisation in yellow snack seasonings.
- Watch point: low use level can create blending uniformity challenges.
- RFQ note: define dry blend, oil slurry, aqueous spray or topical coating method.
Nutrition products and premixes
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate may be evaluated in vitamin premixes, nutrition powders, meal replacements, tablets and supplement-style systems. Assay accuracy, overage, premix compatibility, homogeneity and label compliance are critical.
- Useful target: vitamin B2 derivative with improved compatibility in selected systems.
- Watch point: minerals, humidity and light can affect stability in complex premixes.
- RFQ note: specify assay basis, serving-size target, premix carriers and shelf-life target.
Formulation and processing notes
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate performance should be tested in the finished product because solubility, colour intensity, nutrient contribution and stability depend on the complete formula. In colour use, key targets include shade, uniformity, sediment control, process retention and light stability. In fortification or nutrition use, key targets include assay, dosage accuracy, overage, retention and legal label declaration. For sensitive applications, protect both raw material and finished product from excessive light, moisture and incompatible ingredients.
Order of addition
For liquid systems, add under sufficient mixing to ensure full dispersion before heat treatment or final dilution. Avoid local concentration spots that can create colour streaks or poor dissolution.
Premixing strategy
For dry systems, use stepwise premixing, carrier dilution or masterbatch blending to improve uniformity at low dosage and reduce colour specking.
Light protection
Use light-protective raw material packaging, controlled warehouse exposure and suitable finished-product packaging. Transparent retail packs should be tested under realistic exposure.
Retention testing
When vitamin contribution is important, measure assay after processing and at the end of shelf life. Overage should be based on data and local regulatory limits.
Stability and finished-product considerations
| Condition | Potential impact | Factory recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Light exposure | UV and visible light can reduce Riboflavin-5-Phosphate stability and affect colour or nutrient retention. | Use opaque or light-protective packaging and conduct light-exposure shelf-life trials. |
| pH | pH can influence shade, solubility, dispersion and long-term stability. | Test at the actual product pH and after storage. |
| Heat processing | Pasteurisation, baking, extrusion, cooking or retort may influence assay and shade. | Measure colour and assay after the full process, not only before processing. |
| Minerals and premix interaction | Minerals, salts and alkaline ingredients can affect vitamin stability and blend performance. | Run compatibility tests with the full premix or formula. |
| Water activity and humidity | Moisture can affect caking, flowability, assay stability and premix uniformity. | Control humidity and use moisture-protective packaging. |
| Packaging oxygen and headspace | Oxygen, moisture and light together may accelerate quality loss in some systems. | Evaluate barrier packaging, opaque packs, nitrogen flushing or desiccants where relevant. |
Quality, safety and compliance review
For import, customer approval and factory quality management, Riboflavin-5-Phosphate should be reviewed as a regulated colour ingredient, vitamin B2 derivative or dual-function food ingredient depending on the intended use. Buyers should confirm food-grade status, exact chemical identity, E101 / INS 101 or local regulatory identity, assay, purity, microbiology, heavy metals, residual solvents where relevant, allergen status, GMO status, origin, production method, carrier composition and market-specific labelling rules.
Colour-additive status
Confirm whether Riboflavin-5-Phosphate is permitted as a food colour in the destination country and intended food category. Some markets may distinguish between riboflavin, riboflavin-5-phosphate and salt forms.
Vitamin and nutrient use
When used for vitamin B2 contribution, confirm accepted nutrient form, conversion basis, label declaration, claim threshold, maximum level and required finished-product assay.
Label declaration
Possible declarations may involve Riboflavin, Riboflavin-5-Phosphate, Vitamin B2, E101, colour, nutrient, fortificant or market-specific terminology. Final wording must be checked by the buyer.
Customer standards
Retailers and manufacturers may require allergen, GMO, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, heavy metal, residual solvent and country-of-origin declarations before approval.
Documents to request
- Product specification or technical data sheet with exact grade name, chemical form, assay and intended use.
- Certificate of analysis for the offered batch or representative lot.
- Safety data sheet with handling, dust-control and storage information.
- Food-grade statement and E101 / INS 101 or market-specific regulatory declaration where applicable.
- Identity statement confirming riboflavin-5-phosphate, sodium salt, hydration status and CAS reference where relevant.
- Assay method, potency basis, purity, moisture and impurity information.
- Particle size, bulk density, flowability, solubility or dispersibility data where relevant.
- Light-stability, storage and shelf-life guidance.
- Heavy metal declaration covering lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and other required elements.
- Microbiological specification for nutrition products, premixes and sensitive applications.
- Residual solvent or processing aid statement where relevant to the production method.
- Allergen, GMO, gluten, vegan, vegetarian, halal and kosher statements where required.
- Origin statement, manufacturer information, lot traceability and shelf-life information.
- Full composition and carrier declaration if supplied as a premix, beadlet, dispersion or custom preparation.
- Packaging details, pallet configuration, storage conditions and container loading information.
- Market-specific declarations required by the destination country or final customer.
Packaging, storage and logistics
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate is typically supplied in sealed food-grade bags, cartons, drums, fibre drums, light-protective containers or liquid containers depending on grade and order size. Packaging should protect the material from direct sunlight, strong warehouse lighting, moisture, odours and contamination. Fine powders require careful dust handling and accurate weighing procedures. Liquid dispersions should be stored according to supplier guidance for microbial control, sediment control and active-content stability.
| Packaging question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the product powder, sodium salt, premix, beadlet, dispersion or liquid preparation? | Determines label declaration, solubility, dosing method and quality specification. |
| Is the packaging light-protective? | Helps protect assay, shade and shelf-life stability. |
| What is the net weight per bag, drum, carton or container? | Supports batch-size planning, warehouse handling and purchasing comparison. |
| Is the product fine powder or agglomerated grade? | Influences dusting, flowability, blend uniformity and dosing equipment compatibility. |
| What is the shelf life and recommended storage condition? | Important for potency control, stock rotation and customer audit files. |
| Are export and customs documents available before shipment? | Reduces clearance delay and speeds up customer approval. |
Commercial evaluation and cost-in-use
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate should be evaluated by cost-in-use and finished-product performance, not only by price per kilogram. A better-dispersing grade may be more economical if it reduces sediment, improves shade uniformity, supports clearer label claims, reduces rework or allows lower dosage. Buyers should compare assay, solubility, colour performance, sodium contribution, stability, documentation speed, regulatory fit, packaging quality, MOQ, lead time and supplier consistency before commercial approval.
Sample approval
Request a representative sample from the same grade and production origin proposed for commercial supply. Test it in the actual formula, process and packaging format.
Colour benchmarking
Compare shade, intensity, uniformity, sediment, specking and colour retention against the current colour system or target product standard.
Nutrition validation
For vitamin-related use, verify assay, dosage, conversion basis, overage, processing retention and finished-product level at the end of shelf life.
Supplier consistency
Review lot-to-lot assay, particle size, colour, solubility, documentation speed, minimum order quantity, shelf-life remaining and long-term availability.
How to request this product
Send the product name, intended use as colour or vitamin-related ingredient, required chemical form, assay requirement, solubility or dispersibility target, colour target, pH range, process conditions, packaging exposure, regulatory market, required documentation, annual and first-order quantity, destination country, packaging preference, Incoterms and expected shipment date. If you already purchase Riboflavin-5-Phosphate, attach your current specification, certificate of analysis, SDS, dosage level, colour standard, premix formula or finished-product benchmark so supplier options can be compared more accurately.
Recommended RFQ checklist
- Product: Riboflavin-5-Phosphate / Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate / FMN / Vitamin B2 phosphate / CAS 130-40-5
- Intended use: food colour, beverage colour, colour standardisation, vitamin-related enrichment, nutrient premix or dual colour-nutrient function
- Required form: powder, sodium salt, water-dispersible grade, liquid preparation, dispersion, premix, beadlet or custom blend
- Target assay, potency basis and required specification standard
- Application: beverage, confectionery, dairy dessert, sauce, snack, bakery, cereal, nutrition powder, tablet or premix
- Required colour target, vitamin target, overage strategy or finished-product claim requirement
- Processing conditions: pH, heat treatment, light exposure, storage temperature and packaging format
- Required documents: TDS, specification, COA, SDS, food-grade statement, E101 declaration, allergen, GMO, halal, kosher, heavy metals and microbiology
- Destination country and target regulatory market
- Quantity for sample, pilot trial and commercial order
- Preferred packaging and pallet configuration
- Delivery term, port, airport or warehouse destination
- Existing approved reference sample, competitor specification or formulation benchmark if available
Useful answers
What is Riboflavin-5-Phosphate used for in food manufacturing?
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate is used as a yellow to orange-yellow food colour, water-dispersible vitamin B2 derivative and shade-standardisation ingredient. It is commonly evaluated in beverages, confectionery, dairy desserts, sauces, snacks, bakery, cereals, nutrition products and premixes where permitted.
How is Riboflavin-5-Phosphate different from Riboflavin?
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate is a phosphorylated derivative of riboflavin and is also known as flavin mononucleotide or FMN. It is often selected where improved water compatibility or easier dispersion is needed compared with standard riboflavin powder.
What does E101 mean for this product?
E101 is commonly associated with riboflavin colour systems. Some markets may distinguish riboflavin, riboflavin-5-phosphate and salt forms, so the exact declaration must be confirmed according to the destination market and supplier documentation.
Is Riboflavin-5-Phosphate suitable for clear beverages?
It may be more suitable than standard riboflavin in some aqueous systems, but clear beverages still require testing for solubility, haze, sediment, pH stability, light stability and final label requirements.
Is Riboflavin-5-Phosphate light-sensitive?
Yes. Riboflavin derivatives can be sensitive to ultraviolet and visible light. Raw material, premixes and finished products should be protected from strong light exposure and validated in final packaging.
Which grade should a manufacturer request?
The buyer should specify powder, sodium salt, water-dispersible grade, liquid preparation, dispersion, premix, beadlet or custom blend. Assay, identity, solubility, colour strength, pH range, particle size, stability and documentation should be defined.
Can Global Food Additives source Riboflavin-5-Phosphate?
Global Food Additives can review sourcing options for Riboflavin-5-Phosphate according to target grade, assay, application, solubility requirement, required documents, quantity, destination, packaging preference and shipment schedule.
Which documents should be requested?
Buyers commonly request a technical data sheet, specification, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, food-grade statement, E101 declaration, identity statement, assay method, allergen statement, GMO statement, origin statement, heavy metal declaration, microbiological specification, shelf-life information and packing details.
Is this product permitted in every country?
No. Food additive use, vitamin fortification, colour declaration, nutrient claims, maximum levels and label wording depend on destination-market rules, food category, exact chemical form and buyer responsibility. Local regulations should be verified before commercial use.
Tell us which Riboflavin-5-Phosphate grade or colour system you need.
Send product name, target grade, assay requirement, application, colour or vitamin target, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, delivery term and document requirements. Our team will review your inquiry and respond from orders@foodgradeadditives.com.
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