Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionDietary Supplement Ingredient
Market
Calcium L-methylfolate (levomefolate calcium; L-5-MTHF-Ca) is a synthetic, bioactive folate (vitamin B9) ingredient used in dietary supplements and, in some jurisdictions, as a nutrient source for certain fortified/regulated nutrition uses. EFSA has assessed calcium L-methylfolate and related 5-MTHF salts for bioavailability and for conversion into dietary folate equivalents (DFE), anchoring how this ingredient is treated in EU nutrition contexts. Commercial supply is largely B2B, sold as quality-system materials (e.g., USP-referenced offerings) where identity (e.g., the (6S) form) and documentation (COA/COQ) are central to procurement. Handling and storage conditions can be material to buyer acceptance, with some commercial products specifying refrigerated storage (e.g., 2–8°C).
Specification
Major Varieties(6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid, calcium salt (L-5-MTHF-Ca; levomefolate calcium)
Physical Attributes- Synthetic powder form (supplier-described)
- Marketed as a stable crystalline form of L-methylfolate calcium (supplier-described)
Compositional Metrics- Defined as the (6S) stereoisomer of 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in calcium salt form
- Included in EFSA evaluations of 5-MTHF sources used for DFE conversion in EU nutrition contexts
Grades- USP (as referenced by some commercial offerings)
- GMP-aligned food/pharma grade (supplier-declared; commonly paired with documented COA/COQ)
Packaging- Bulk B2B packaging accompanied by supplier documentation (e.g., COA/COQ); customized packaging is offered by some suppliers
ProcessingCalcium salt is described as sparingly soluble compared with some alternative 5-MTHF salts, which can influence formulation choices
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Synthetic manufacture and purification → stabilized crystalline calcium salt → quality release documentation (COA/COQ) → bulk distribution to premix/supplement manufacturers → downstream blending and dosage-form manufacturing (capsules/tablets) → retail and regulated nutrition channels
Demand Drivers- Use of 5-MTHF (L-methylfolate) as a dietary supplement folate form
- Jurisdictional regulatory recognition and labeling frameworks for 5-MTHF salts (e.g., EFSA scientific opinions and DFE conversion approaches)
- Buyer preference for documented identity and quality systems (e.g., USP-referenced, GMP/halal/kosher supplier grades)
Temperature- Some commercial calcium L-methylfolate products specify refrigerated storage (e.g., 2–8°C), making temperature control a practical procurement and logistics consideration
Risks
Quality And Stability HighCalcium L-methylfolate is a reduced folate ingredient sold against tight identity/potency and documentation expectations; inadequate storage and handling can increase the risk of out-of-spec material and downstream batch rejection or recall. Some commercial offerings explicitly specify refrigerated storage (e.g., 2–8°C), which tightens cold-chain discipline requirements for global trade.Specify storage and transport conditions in contracts; use validated packaging and lane qualification; verify potency/identity on receipt and through shelf life using agreed methods and COA alignment.
Regulatory Compliance MediumNutrition-policy and labeling treatment of 5-MTHF sources can be jurisdiction-specific, including how calcium L-methylfolate is converted into dietary folate equivalents (DFE) and how upper intake considerations are framed for folate forms (including 5-MTHF salts). Misalignment can create relabeling, reformulation, or market-access delays.Maintain a destination-market regulatory matrix for permitted folate sources and labeling; keep dossiers updated; validate claims and DFE calculations against current authoritative guidance.
Market Access And Specification Tightness MediumProcurement frequently relies on high-documentation, high-purity specifications (e.g., defined (6S) identity and pharmacopeial/quality-system positioning). Switching between branded and non-branded sources can trigger requalification costs, customer resistance, and compliance review friction.Pre-qualify multiple suppliers to the same critical specifications (identity, stereochemistry, impurities, stability and storage); document comparability and change-control pathways.
Sustainability- Energy and emissions exposure from temperature-controlled storage/transport when refrigerated conditions (e.g., 2–8°C) are specified for certain commercial grades
Labor & Social- Quality-system compliance and auditability (e.g., GMP expectations and traceable documentation) are central to responsible sourcing in supplement ingredient supply chains
FAQ
What is calcium L-methylfolate used for in supplements?It is used as a form of folate (vitamin B9) in dietary supplements, providing the 5-MTHF form of folate rather than folic acid. NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements notes that some dietary supplements contain folate as 5-MTHF, and EFSA has evaluated calcium L-methylfolate as a 5-MTHF nutrient source in EU nutrition contexts.
How does EFSA treat calcium L-methylfolate in dietary folate equivalents (DFE)?EFSA’s 2022 opinion proposes DFE conversion equations for 5-MTHF sources including calcium L-methylfolate, applying a factor of 1.7 for intakes below 400 µg/day and a factor of 2.0 for food supplements providing 400 µg/day or more.
Why do some products use other 5-MTHF salts instead of the calcium salt?Some suppliers market alternative 5-MTHF salts (for example, a glucosamine salt) with different formulation characteristics. Gnosis by Lesaffre positions its glucosamine salt 5-MTHF ingredient as more water-soluble compared with the calcium salt, which it describes as sparingly soluble, which can matter for certain dosage forms and beverage-type applications.