Iron deficiency or anaemia is one the most common nutritional deficiency in humans.Not all dietary ingested iron, is available for absorption and negative imbalance between iron requirements and absorption leads to iron deficiency and/or anaemia.
The iron fortification is considered more cost effective and economically more attractive than iron supplementation. There are many iron compounds available to be used in iron fortification. Cereals represent a target food group to iron fortification programs due to high consumption. Here in this blog we are discussing about top 5 iron forms used for nutritional application:
1.Electrolytic Iron Powder
one of the most recommended elemental irons available in the world for food fortification. It is being produce through process called Electrolysis and the purest form of iron for mineral supplements. It has purity >99.5% with extremely lower impurities. It is known worldwide for its stability on colour, teste, oxidation, shelf life etc.
Various countries are using electrolytic iron as first choice of iron in their premixes. Cost-wise in premix cost, electrolytic iron is ref as most economical iron fortificants among all. Manufacturers prefer this iron because of its various benefits for all types of uses in various food media.
2.Reduced Iron powder:
FCC grade reduced iron powder plays a vital role in today’s food and nutrition industry. Reduced Iron has high purity (>99%) & excellent bioavailability. Usual issues found with iron like oxidation, sensory problems & impact on colour, taste & appearance are not seen with reduced Iron Powders.
3. Ferrous Sulphate:
Ferrous sulphate is an iron supplement used to treat or prevent low blood levels of iron (e.g., for anaemia or during pregnancy). It consists of 33% elemental iron for absorption in human body. Iron is an important mineral that the body needs to produce red blood cells and keep you in good health.
4. Ferrous Fumarate
Ferrous fumarate, is the iron salt of fumaric acid, occurring as a reddish-orange powder, used to supplement iron intake. It has the chemical formula Câ‚„Hâ‚‚FeOâ‚„. It has 33% elemental iron by weight for absorption. Ferrous fumarate is recommended for use in the fortification of foods for infants and young children. This recommendation is based on the compound’s bio availability. It would make some sensory issues to food.
5. FeNaEDTA
FeNaEDTA, also known as sodium ferric ethylenediaminetetraacetate is used for fortification of food such as sugar and cereals. It has better iron bioavailability as compared to other salts of iron. It is the most expensive iron type with numerous benefits to flour fortification
Conclusion
Nutritional applications in the area of flour / food fortification, iron salts and demand the best quality iron powder with unsurpassed quality, stability, and safety. Thanks to the cost effective process backed up by 48 years of research and development activities, Industrial Metal Powders (I) Pvt. Ltd. offers ‘Electro-Fine’, an enhanced electrolytic iron powder for food supplements, vitamin fortification, and replenishment made in India. Get in touch with our team for your iron powder requirements and get customised solutions.
