Vitamin C is considered the most labile of the vitamins in our food supply. Reduced ascorbic acid (RAA), which is the predominant form found in foods of plant origin, can be reversibly oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA). Further irreversible oxidation of RAA or DHA to diketogulonic acid or other products results in loss of biological activity. Oxidation can occur in the presence of metal catalysts, or plant oxidase enzymes, particularly following cell damage, or as a result of heat during food processing. Vitamin C is easily leached from foods during processing and is discarded with washing, soaking, or cooking water. Ascorbic acid losses begin with harvesting and continue through handling, industrial or home preparation, cooking, and storage of plant foods.