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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-08-06 Origin: Site
Ferrous lactate — also known as iron(II) lactate — is an organic iron salt formed by combining ferrous iron with lactic acid. With the chemical formula C₆H₁₀FeO₆ and CAS number 5905-52-2, it typically appears as a greenish-white crystalline powder or granular solid with a mild, characteristic odor.
In the food industry, ferrous lactate is recognized under the European food additive code E585, where it serves as an acidity regulator, color retention agent, and iron fortification compound. It is also widely used in animal feed as a bioavailable mineral supplement.
Property | Value |
Chemical Name | Iron(II) lactate; Ferrous lactate |
CAS Number | 5905-52-2 |
E Number | E585 |
Molecular Formula | C₆H₁₀FeO₆ (anhydrous) |
Appearance | Greenish-white to pale green crystalline powder |
Solubility | Soluble in water; slightly soluble in ethanol |
Iron Content | Approximately 18–20% (varies by hydrate form) |
Common Hydrate Forms | Dihydrate, Trihydrate |
Typical Purity (Food Grade) | ≥ 98% |
Ferrous lactate stands out among iron compounds for its excellent water solubility, mild taste profile, and compatibility with a broad range of food and feed matrices — making it a preferred choice for manufacturers across the food, beverage, and animal nutrition industries.
Ferrous lactate is one of the most widely adopted iron compounds for food fortification programs worldwide. Its high bioavailability and neutral sensory profile make it the iron source of choice in:
Breakfast Cereals & Grain-Based Products Cereal flours and ready-to-eat breakfast products are commonly fortified with ferrous lactate to boost their iron content without affecting flavor or appearance. Wheat flour enrichment programs in multiple countries specify iron compounds that maintain stability during storage and baking — a requirement that ferrous lactate meets effectively.
Dairy Products & Milk-Based Beverages In yogurt, flavored milk, and cheese products, ferrous lactate provides iron enrichment with minimal interference to product texture or taste. Research has shown it causes less off-color development than ferrous bisglycinate or ferrous sulfate in dairy matrices.
Baby Foods & Follow-On Formula Ferrous lactate is a key mineral ingredient used in infant cereals, follow-on formula, and toddler nutrition products. Its gentle profile is well-suited to the stringent quality requirements of early-life nutrition manufacturing.
Beverages & Functional Drinks In flavored water, sports drinks, and functional beverages, ferrous lactate dissolves completely and resists precipitation, allowing manufacturers to create clear or translucent iron-fortified drinks with consistent dosing.
Algae-Based & Plant-Based Foods With the rise of alternative proteins and plant-based food products, ferrous lactate has found new applications in algae-based formulations and meat analogues, where it supports nutritional completeness without compromising product integrity.
Ferrous lactate is authorized as a color retention agent, particularly in processed fruit and vegetable products. It helps stabilize natural pigments by reacting with polyphenolic compounds — a property utilized in:
● Canned and bottled fruits and vegetables
● Olives darkened by oxidation
● Processed mushroom products
Under EU regulations, ferrous lactate (E585) may be used in olives darkened by oxidation at levels up to 150 mg/kg (expressed as iron).
As a lactate salt, ferrous lactate can contribute to pH buffering in certain food systems, complementing other acidity regulators while simultaneously providing mineral fortification. This dual functionality reduces the total additive count in clean-label formulations.
Beyond human food applications, ferrous lactate plays a vital role in animal nutrition as a highly bioavailable mineral supplement.
In cattle, swine, and sheep diets, ferrous lactate serves as an organic iron source that supports growth, reproductive performance, and overall metabolic function. Studies on lactating dairy cows, for example, have examined the impact of iron source and concentration on drinking behavior and intake — demonstrating the practical relevance of iron compound selection in commercial livestock operations.
Modern broiler and layer operations depend on precisely formulated mineral premixes. Ferrous lactate's bioavailability advantage over inorganic iron sources can translate to more efficient nutrient utilization, supporting:
● Optimal growth rates in broilers
● Egg production and shell quality in layers
● Reduced mineral excretion (lower environmental load)
In premium dog and cat food formulations, ferrous lactate is used as part of the mineral premix to meet AAFCO and FEDIAF nutritional adequacy standards. Its mild taste and solubility are advantageous in wet pet food formats.
Fish and shrimp feed formulations increasingly favor organic mineral sources for their improved bioavailability in aquatic species. Ferrous lactate can be incorporated into extruded and pelleted aquafeed without compromising water stability.
Procurement professionals and quality assurance teams evaluating ferrous lactate suppliers should verify compliance with the following standards:
Standard | Description |
FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) | Sets identity, purity, and assay specifications for food-grade ferrous lactate |
GB 1903.52-2021 | Chinese national food safety standard for ferrous lactate as a nutritional fortifier |
Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 | Lays down specifications for food additive E585 in the European Union |
JECFA Monograph | Internationally recognized identity and purity specifications |
Typical quality parameters for food-grade ferrous lactate include:
Assay:≥ 98.0% (dihydrate basis)
Loss on drying:As specified for the hydrate form
Heavy metals (as Pb):≤ 10 mg/kg
Arsenic (As):≤ 3 mg/kg
Chloride:≤ 0.1%
Sulfate:≤ 0.1%
Food-grade ferrous lactate is typically packed in 25 kg multi-layer paper bags or fiber drums with an inner food-grade polyethylene liner. It should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from sources of heat and moisture. Under recommended storage conditions, the shelf life is generally 24 months from the date of manufacture.
Ferrous lactate is designated as E585 in the European Union food additive numbering system.
Yes, ferrous lactate is readily soluble in water, making it suitable for liquid food and beverage applications as well as wet animal feed formulations.
The main difference is the number of water molecules in the crystal structure (two for dihydrate, three for trihydrate), which affects the overall iron content by weight. The dihydrate form has a slightly higher iron concentration per unit mass. Formulators should use the iron assay value (not the bulk weight) when calculating fortification levels.
Yes. Ferrous lactate is produced through chemical synthesis from lactic acid and iron sources — it does not involve animal-derived raw materials. Suppliers can typically provide vegan/vegetarian compliance statements upon request.
Under recommended storage conditions (cool, dry, sealed containers), food-grade ferrous lactate typically has a shelf life of 24 months from the date of manufacture.
Ferrous lactate is a versatile, high-bioavailability iron compound that serves as a critical ingredient in food fortification, animal nutrition, and industrial applications. Its unique combination of excellent water solubility, sensory neutrality, and broad regulatory acceptance makes it a preferred choice for manufacturers across the food, beverage, feed, and pet food sectors.
