About
Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) is a water-soluble essential B-vitamin naturally present in a wide variety of foods including eggs, meat, whole grains, and vegetables. It is added to foods and dietary supplements to support energy metabolism, hormone synthesis, and maintenance of skin, hair, and nails.
Safety summary
Pantothenic acid has an excellent safety profile; the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) was unable to establish a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) because no credible reports of toxicity at high intakes in humans exist. Some individuals consuming very large doses (e.g., 10 g/day) may experience mild diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress. No clinically relevant drug interactions have been identified, and it is broadly considered safe across all population groups at normal dietary and supplemental intakes.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Pantothenic acid is authorised for use in foods and food supplements in the EU. EFSA's NDA Panel confirmed health claims linking pantothenic acid to normal energy-yielding metabolism, synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, and maintenance of normal mental performance (Regulation EC No 1924/2006). Calcium D-pantothenate and D-panthenol are separately authorised as nutritional feed additives for all animal species under Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. No formal ADI or UL has been established by EFSA for pantothenic acid.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Calcium pantothenate listed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as a nutrient and dietary supplement ingredient under 21 CFR 182.5212 and 184.1212; use at GMP levels. The calcium chloride double salt (d- or dl-form) is separately regulated as a dietary supplement ingredient under 21 CFR 172.330.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FDA. Food Additive Status List — Calcium Pantothenate (21 CFR 182.5212, 184.1212). fda.gov
- 2WHO. Pantothenic Acid — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Health Professional Fact Sheet. ods.od.nih.gov
- 3PubMed. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), 2020. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4EFSA. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to pantothenic acid and contribution to normal energy-yielding metabolism pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, 2013. efsa.europa.eu
- 5EFSA. Scientific Opinion on health claims related to pantothenic acid (energy-yielding metabolism, mental performance, steroid hormones, skin, hair, nails), 2010. efsa.europa.eu