title: The usefulness of elemental iron for cereal flour fortification: a SUSTAIN Task Force report. Sharing United States Technology to Aid in the Improvement of Nutrition.
abstract: Fortification of cereal flours may be a useful public health strategy to combat iron deficiency. Cereal flours that are used shortly after production (e.g., baking flour) can be fortified with soluble iron compounds, such as ferrous sulfate, whereas the majority of flours stored for longer periods is usually fortified with elemental iron powders to avoid unacceptable sensory changes. Elemental iron powders are less well absorbed than soluble iron compounds and they vary widely in their absorption depending on manufacturing method and physicochemical characteristics. Costs vary with powder type, but elemental iron powders are generally less expensive than ferrous sulfate. This review evaluates the usefulness of the different elemental iron powders based on results from in vitro studies, rat assays, human bioavailability studies, and efficacy studies monitoring iron status in human subjects. It concludes that, at the present time, only electrolytic iron powder can be recommended as an iron fortificant. Because it is only approximately half as well absorbed as ferrous sulfate, it should be added to provide double the amount of iron.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hurrell
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bothwell
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dary
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Davidsson
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fairweather-Tait
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hallberg
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosado
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Whittaker
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002523:Edible Grain; D005433:Flour; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D058085:Iron Compounds; D019266:Iron, Dietary