Vitamin B2

Vitamin makers produce riboflavin deliberately through fermentation, rather than recovering it from another food process. A documented feed grade production line starts with glucose and bacterial cultures, then dries the resulting vitamin for shipment.^2,8

1. 01 // Source Glucose and microbes Glucose feeds selected bacterial cultures in the documented feed grade production process.
2. 02 // Process Fermented The cultures produce riboflavin in a liquid that moves to the recovery stage.
3. 03 // Process Separated and dried The liquid is centrifuged, dispersed and spray dried into a powder.
4. 04 // Output B2 powder The finished powder is collected, sieved and packaged for blending into a vitamin premix.

1. 01

   Meets the nutrient target

   Food makers add riboflavin so the finished recipe supplies the required amount even when its other ingredients contribute varying amounts.^3,4

2. 02

   Supplies an energy cofactor

   Dogs use riboflavin in compounds that process carbohydrate, fat and protein. Meeting the requirement supports that function; adding more is not an energy treatment.¹

3. 03

   Mixes at small scale

   The vitamin is supplied as a concentrated powder. Premix makers blend vitamins with carriers so small measured amounts distribute through a complete feed.^2,8

4. 04

   Ships concentrated

   Vitamin suppliers ship concentrated material because transporting the added weight of premix carriers costs more. The carriers are blended in later.⁸

How much AAFCO's corrected dog food profiles set a minimum of 5.2 mg riboflavin per kilogram of dry food for growth and adult maintenance.⁴

1. Brands say

   Dogs need B2 to use energy from food

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   FEDIAF summarizes an adult dog requirement study that measured a deficiency marker and estimated a need of 66.8 micrograms per kilogram of body weight daily. That supports adequate intake, not a claim that extra B2 improves performance.^1,3

2. Brands say

   Extra B2 makes a dog's coat healthier

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   A clinical nutrition chapter describes skin lesions from experimental B-vitamin deficiency and discusses dog feeding studies that added several nutrients together. Those studies cannot show that extra riboflavin alone improves an adequately fed dog's coat.⁶

3. Brands say

   Extra B2 protects a dog's eyes

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   A veterinary nutrition text lists cloudy corneas among signs of riboflavin deficiency in dogs. The EFSA review of an 80% feed additive assessed it as a nutrient source, not as a treatment that protects healthy eyes.^1,7

4. Owners say

   Fermented B2 is unsafe for dogs

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   EFSA found one earlier fermented B2 product posed a risk because it held live cells and DNA of a modified strain carrying antibiotic resistance genes. Products from that strain later tested clean in 3 batches and were judged safe. The problem was contamination, not fermentation.²

5. Owners say

   More B2 gives a healthy dog more energy

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   Riboflavin participates in energy metabolism, but that does not mean an extra dose makes a well-fed dog livelier. EFSA assessed an 80% riboflavin additive for meeting nutritional needs, not for increasing activity or stamina.¹