# Menadiol Sodium Diphosphate

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 131-13-5
**Category:** other
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Menadiol sodium diphosphate is a synthetic form of vitamin K (phylloquinone precursor) used as a nutritional supplement in food products. It functions as a fat-soluble vitamin source intended to support blood coagulation and bone metabolism in fortified foods.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | not_evaluated |
| Canada | approved |
| Australia | not_evaluated |
| Japan | not_evaluated |
| South Korea | not_evaluated |
| Brazil | not_evaluated |
| China | not_evaluated |
| India | not_evaluated |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Menadiol Sodium Diphosphate?

Menadiol sodium diphosphate (CAS Number: 131-13-5) is a synthetic derivative of menadiol, a reduced form of vitamin K. This compound is created by combining menadiol with sodium diphosphate, forming a water-soluble salt that differs from naturally occurring vitamin K found in leafy greens and fermented foods. The additive is chemically designed to serve as a vitamin K source in food fortification applications.

## Common Uses

While specific food applications for menadiol sodium diphosphate remain limited in current food manufacturing, vitamin K derivatives like this compound have historically been explored for use in fortified cereals, grain products, and nutritional supplements. The water-soluble nature of this particular form was intended to improve bioavailability compared to fat-soluble vitamin K forms. However, detailed information about current commercial use in food products is not widely documented in public food safety databases.

## Safety Assessment

The FDA has received zero adverse event reports associated with menadiol sodium diphosphate, and no food recalls involving this additive have been documented. This absence of reported incidents suggests minimal or no significant harmful effects at levels used in food applications. However, the lack of adverse events does not necessarily indicate comprehensive safety assessment, particularly given limited contemporary use data.

Vitamin K compounds generally have favorable safety profiles when consumed at nutritionally relevant levels. The fat-soluble nature of vitamin K metabolism means the body can store excess amounts, though toxicity from dietary sources is considered rare. Individual responses may vary, particularly in individuals taking anticoagulant medications like warfarin, where vitamin K intake can affect medication efficacy.

## Regulatory Status

Menadiol sodium diphosphate has not received GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status from the FDA, which means it has not been formally approved as safe for use in food under the Generally Recognized as Safe framework. This distinction does not necessarily indicate the additive is unsafe; rather, it suggests that comprehensive safety documentation for food use may not have been formally submitted to or evaluated by the FDA under GRAS petition procedures.

The regulatory pathway for this additive remains unclear in current FDA databases. Food manufacturers considering use of this compound would need to establish appropriate safety documentation or pursue formal FDA approval before incorporation into food products intended for the U.S. market.

## Key Studies

Limited peer-reviewed research specifically addressing menadiol sodium diphosphate safety in food applications appears available in published literature. General vitamin K research demonstrates the nutritional importance of vitamin K for blood coagulation (Factor II, VII, IX, and X synthesis) and bone mineralization through gamma-carboxylation of osteocalcin.

Studies on vitamin K supplementation more broadly show that forms like phylloquinone and menaquinones are generally well-tolerated at dietary and supplemental levels. Research on synthetic vitamin K derivatives remains less extensive than for naturally occurring forms, reflecting their more limited use in food applications.

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Menadiol Sodium Diphosphate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/menadiol-sodium-diphosphate. Accessed 2026-05-19.