What is it used for?
General
Provitamin A/Source of vitamin A for the maintenance of good health [Source note 2].
Source of vitamin A.
Specific
Helps to prevent vitamin A deficiency¹ [Source note 3].
(Provitamin A/Source of vitamin A to) help(s) in the development and maintenance of bones [Source note 4].
(Provitamin A/Source of vitamin A to) help(s) in the development and maintenance of night vision [Source note 5].
(Provitamin A/Source of vitamin A to) help(s) in the development and maintenance of teeth [Source note 6].
(Provitamin A/Source of vitamin A to) help(s) maintain eyesight, skin, membranes and immune function [Source note 7].
The above uses can be combined on the product label (e.g., Source of vitamin A to help maintain eyesight, skin, membranes and immune function and to help in the development and maintenance of night vision, bones and teeth).
¹Vitamin A deficiency claim: Refer to Table 3 for the dose requirements.
Who does this guide cover?
As specified below.
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Acceptable dosage forms by age group:
Children 1-2 years: The acceptable dosage forms are limited to emulsion/suspension and solution/liquid preparations (Giacoia et al. 2008; EMA/CHMP 2006).
Children 3-5 years: The acceptable dosage forms are limited to chewables, emulsion/suspension, powders and solution/liquid preparations (Giacoia et al. 2008; EMA/CHMP 2006).
Children 6-11 years, Adolescents 12-17 years, and Adults 18 years and older: The
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Powdered standardized; Standardized extracts
In addition to the quantity of carrot powder/extract, the potency information must be expressed as the quantity of beta-carotene.
All uses except vitamin A deficiency
| Subpopulation(s) | Subpopulation(s) | beta-carotene (µg/day)¹,² / Minimum | beta-carotene (µg/day)¹,² / Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children | 1-3 years | 180 µg | 3,600 µg |
| Children | 4-8 years | 180 µg | 5,400 µg |
| Adolescents | 9-13 years | 180 µg | 10,200 µg |
| Adolescents | 14-18 years | 390 µg | 16,800 µg |
| Adults | 19 years and older | 390 µg | 18,000 µg |
¹Values were derived from the conversion factor of 6 μg of beta-carotene = 1 μg all-trans retinol; hence, a ratio of 6:1 beta-carotene: vitamin A, on a weight to weight basis (HC 1990; FAO/WHO 1967). ²Minimum doses based on approximately 5% of the highest AI or RDA for vitamin A, and the maximum doses based on the UL for vitamin A [Source note 8].
Vitamin A deficiency claim
| Subpopulation(s) | Subpopulation(s) | beta-carotene (µg/day)¹ / Minimum | beta-carotene (µg/day)¹ / Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children | 1-3 years | 1,800 µg | 3,600 µg |
| Children | 4-8 years | 2,400 µg | 5,400 µg |
| Adolescent males | 9-13 years | 3,600 µg | 10,200 µg |
| Adolescent males | 14-18 years | 5,400 µg | 16,800 µg |
| Adult males | 19 years and older | 5,400 µg | 18,000 µg |
| Adolescent females | 9-13 years | 3,600 µg | 10,200 µg |
| Adolescent females | 14-18 years | 4,200 µg | 16,800 µg |
| Adult females | 19 years and older | 4,200 µg | 18,000 µg |
| Pregnancy | 14-18 years | 4,500 µg | 16,800 µg |
| Pregnancy | 19-50 years | 4,620 µg | 18,000 µg |
| Breastfeeding | 14-18 years | 7,200 µg | 16,800 µg |
| Breastfeeding | 19-50 years | 7,800 µg | 18,000 µg |
¹These values are based on the RDA and AI values for vitamin A based on subpopulations [Source note 9] and were derived from the conversion factor of 6 µg of beta-carotene = 1 µg all-trans retinol; hence, a ratio of 6:1 beta-carotene:vitamin A, on a weight to weight basis (HC 1990; FAO/WHO 1967).
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Warnings and precautions
Products providing more than 6,000 μg of beta-carotene, per day
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are a tobacco smoker [Source note 10].
When should it be avoided?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daucus carota subsp. sativus | Carrot | Daucus carota subsp. sativus | Root | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Common name: USDA 2024; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: CNF 2024; USDA 2024.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- January 30, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.