Iron Gluconate
Also known as: E579, ferrous gluconate
Ferrous gluconate is a well-tolerated, bioavailable form of iron. Commonly used to fortify foods and stabilize the black color of California-style olives.
What it is
Iron(II) gluconate; ferrous salt of gluconic acid used as iron fortificant and color fixative.
Iron source for fortification; color stabilizer in ripe olives.
Why it's flagged
- GI upset at high doses
- iron overload risk in hemochromatosis
- accidental pediatric overdose
What regulators actually say
"Ferrous gluconate (C12H22FeO14, CAS Reg. No. 299-29-6)... is generally recognized as safe."
"A clinical trial of iron supplementation found that... those randomized to take an iron supplement (37.5 mg/day elemental iron from ferrous gluconate) for 24 weeks recovered their lost hemoglobin and iron in less than half the time."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
GRAS (21 CFR 184.1308) for use in food.
European Union — EFSA
Approved (E 579); used as color stabilizer in olives and as iron source.
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