Are biotechnologically produced agents such as vitamins as healthy as ones that are produced conventionally?
Vitamins are chemically well-defined molecules which are identical irrespective of their origin and the production or isolation process. For their physiological activity and related health benefit, it is impossible to distinguish between natural, synthetic or biotechnologically produced vitamins, nutrients and food additives. The commercialisation of vitamins or food additives is submitted to authorisation. They have to be of good quality, safe and nutritious. The procedures of authorisation take into account (among many other aspects) the purity of the substance and the absence of contaminants which may be toxic.
