Ferrolactate, Iron Supplement, Ferrolactate, Ferrous Lactate, Iron Lactate, E585, 5905-52-2

Ferrolactate, Iron Supplement, Ferrolactate, Ferrous Lactate, Iron Lactate, E585, 5905-52-2

Ferrolactate (E585) – Iron Supplement

Chemical Information

• Name: Ferrolactate (iron salt of lactic acid)

• Formula: C6H10FeO6 · 3H2O

• Molecular weight: 388.03 g/mol

• CAS number: 5905-52-2

• Food additive code: E585

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Powder or crystalline form

• Color: Light greenish

• Odor: Odorless

• Hazard: May cause mild skin irritation upon contact; wash thoroughly with water if exposed

• Storage: Keep in cool, dry conditions in sealed packaging

Function and Applications

• Function: Iron fortification in foods

• Applications:

  • Infant formula formulations

  • Bakery products

  • Dietary supplements

Nutrition and Safety

• Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI): 0.8 mg/kg body weight

• Side effects: None known

• Usage restrictions: None

  • Safe for all religious groups and vegetarians (including those avoiding dairy)

  • Despite the name, it is not derived from milk; safe for individuals with milk allergy or lactose intolerance

Ferrolactate (E585) – Iron Supplement

Production

• Source: Ferrolactate is the iron salt of lactic acid (E270).

• Process: Produced by neutralizing lactic acid with iron compounds, yielding a stable crystalline or powdered form.

• Form: Typically obtained as ferrous lactate trihydrate (C6H10FeO6 · 3H2O).

Other Names

• Ferrolactate

• Ferrous lactate

• Iron lactate

• E585 (food additive code)

Alternatives (Iron Fortification Compounds)

Sectoral Suitability Table

Summary: Ferrolactate (E585) is a safe, versatile iron fortifier derived from lactic acid. It is especially suitable for infant formula, bakery products, and supplements, with alternatives like ferrous fumarate or ferric pyrophosphate available depending on formulation needs.