Facebook
header-banner-vitaminlabels.webp
Earth First

Vitamin Labels | What Do They Mean?

Ever heard of alpha-linolenic acid? How about pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)? Glad you're not having to read those aloud?

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Scientific Names

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 fatty acid present predominantly in plant oils such as olive and rapeseed. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid present in oily fish and algae.

Fortunately, alpha-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are more often abbreviated to ALA and DHA respectively, which is a good start, but in fact, you may know them both by a single name that we're all much more familiar with: omega-3 fatty acids. This is what food manufacturers are more likely to use on their packaging.

It's obvious why they prefer to use ‘omega-3 fatty acids’ rather than those intimidating scientific names. But what about other food components?

Vitamin B: Scientific Names

You might know that there are many types of B vitamins, but did you know that most of them have more than one name and you may see these on food labels? Here's a quick guide to the alternatives:

  • Vitamin B1 = thiamine
  • Vitamin B2 = niacin
  • Vitamin B3 = riboflavin
  • Vitamin B5 = pantothenic acid
  • Vitamin B7 = biotin
  • Vitamin B9 = folate or folic acid
  • Vitamin B12 = cobalamin

You might be wondering where all the other numbers are for the B vitamins. Well, B6 doesn’t have any alternative names – it's just plain Vitamin B6 – and Vitamins B4, B8, B10 and B11 … don't exist!
 

This article has been adapted by the author for FoodUnfolded.

Related articles

Most viewed

Earth First

Mushroom Farming & Processing | Ask The Expert

Madhura Rao, Jan Klerken

We've been foraging, growing and eating mushrooms for thousands of years, but how has that changed…

Earth First

Don’t Eat Vegan, Eat Sustainably | Opinion

Aran Shaunak

Being vegan is great for protecting the planet - but it's not for everyone. Perhaps we should all…

Earth First

How Ultra-Processed Foods Affect the Plant-Based Movement

Lauren Lewis

Plant-based diets are on the rise and there are more options than ever before. But with many of…

Earth First

How to Eat Edible Flowers

Virginie Maenhout

Do you also get excited when discovering colourful flowers in your fresh salad? Or do you feel extra…

Earth First

Vitamin Labels | What Do They Mean?

Dr Chris Ryder

Ever heard of alpha-linolenic acid? How about pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)? Glad you're not having…

Earth First

How Do Food Businesses Manage Food Waste?

Madhura Rao

Food can end up as waste before it reaches us for several reasons, whether it’s safety…

Earth First

First Expired, First Out | Fight Food Waste Like a Pro

Madhura Rao

Have you ever stood in front of a well-stocked kitchen cupboard wondering what you should cook for…

Earth First

Health Claims | The Asterisk: Friend or Foe?

Dr Chris Ryder

The humble asterisk (*) has many uses, one of which is to redirect readers to another part of a text…

Earth First

Banana Plantations | 3 Sustainable Practices

Jane Alice Liu

Many banana plantations are known for their high water consumption and intensive use of chemical…

Earth First

Where is Your Fish From?

Marie Lödige

Traceability is a recurring term when it comes to fish safety and fishery sustainability. But what…

Earth First

Could Invasive Species be the Future of Sustainable Dining?

Benedetta Gori

While the rapid expansion of invasive species is challenging ecological balance, an emerging…

Earth First

Biofuels: Is Growing Food for Energy a Good Idea?

Inés Oort Alonso

At first glance, food and renewable energy appear to be two different worlds. But there is…

Keep updated with the latest news about your food with our newsletter

Subscribe →

Follow Us