

“They are also worried about sheep dip and undesirable compounds getting into lanolin-derived D3.” “There is a real demand from vegans and vegetarians, but many other people are also surprised to find that vitamin D3 comes from lanolin or other animal sources and would rather get it from a plant source as well,” he said. However, many firms are keen to find an alternative that doesn’t use animal products, ESB Developments director Mark Broughton told NutraIngredients-USA at the Expo West show in Anaheim earlier this year.

However, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is traditionally sourced from lanolin (the pale-yellow oil found in sheep's wool), is better absorbed and utilized by the body, claims Nordic Naturals. Most plant-derived vitamin D is vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).

