Food grade Ferric pyrophosphate CAS 10058-44-3

What is Ferric Pyrophosphate?

Ferric phosphate , also known as iron pyrophosphate , is an inorganic iron salt composed of ferric ions and pyrophosphate ions.

in:

· Ferric indicates trivalent iron, i.e., Fe³⁺ + Fe³⁺ .

· Pyrophosphate refers to pyrophosphate, specifically P2O74 − P2 ​O74− ​.

Its common chemical formula can usually be represented as:

FeH4O7P2

From an ionic composition perspective, ferric ions combine with pyrophosphate ions to form ferric pyrophosphate:

4Fe3++3P2O74−→Fe4(P2O7)3 4Fe 3+ +3P 2 ​O 74− ​→ Fe 4 ​( P 2 ​O 7 ​) 3

Judging from the English name:

· Ferric iron : trivalent iron;

· Pyrophosphate : pyrophosphate;

· Ferric pyrophosphate : iron pyrophosphate.

In simple terms, Ferric Pyrophosphate is an inorganic salt containing iron and pyrophosphate . In the food industry, it is mainly used as an iron fortifier to increase the iron content of food and help meet the body's nutritional needs for iron.

Food-grade Ferric Pyrophosphate is usually a light yellow, yellowish-white, off-white, or light brown powder . The specific color may vary depending on the production process, particle size, purity, and hydration state.

Compared with iron sources such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous gluconate, ferric pyrophosphate generally has better sensory compatibility and has less impact on the color, odor, and taste of food.

Food-grade Ferric Pyrophosphate typically has the following characteristics:

· It can be used as an iron fortifier ;

· The iron content is relatively stable ;

· Its light color makes it suitable for light-colored food systems .

· It has a lower level of odor and metallic taste ;

· It has little impact on the flavor of food ;

· The redox reactivity is relatively low ;

· It is less likely to cause noticeable discoloration of food ;

· Suitable for applications in grains, dairy products, beverage powders, infant foods, etc.

· It must comply with food safety regulations and food additive/fortifier standards .

What are the main uses of food-grade Ferric Pyrophosphate?

The core use of food-grade Ferric Pyrophosphate is as an iron fortifier to help increase the iron content in food while minimizing its impact on the sensory quality of the food.

1. Used as an iron fortifier

This is the primary use of food-grade Ferric Pyrophosphate.

Main function:

· Provides iron;

· Improve the nutritional value of food;

· Helps meet the iron intake needs of specific populations;

· Used in iron-fortified foods;

· Used in multivitamin and mineral formulations;

· Support dietary supplementation for people at risk of iron deficiency.

Possible applications:

· Infant food;

· Children's food;

· Nutritional foods for pregnant women;

· Adult nutritional powder;

· Cereal foods;

· Milk powder;

· Dietary supplements.

2. Used in infant and child nutritional foods

Infants and children grow and develop rapidly, and therefore have a high need for iron.

Main function:

· Supports the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin;

· Support normal growth and development;

· Support the development of cognitive and learning abilities;

· Reduce the risk of insufficient dietary iron intake;

· As a source of minerals in formulated foods.

Common products:

· Infant rice cereal;

· Infant formula milk powder;

· Infant growth formula;

· Children's nutritional cereals;

· Nutritional supplements for children.

3. Used for fortifying grains and flour

Cereal fortification is an important way to improve iron deficiency in many parts of the world.

Main function:

· Increase the iron content of cereal foods;

· It does not significantly change the color of the grain;

· Reduce the risk of metallic taste;

· Maintain product processing stability;

· Suitable for dry powder mixing systems.

Common products:

· Breakfast cereals;

· Fortified flour;

· Nutritious oatmeal;

· Meal replacement cereal powder;

· Children's cereal products.

4. Used in milk powder and nutritional powder

In milk powder and nutritional powder, iron salts can easily affect flavor and oxidative stability. Ferric pyrophosphate has relatively low reactivity, so it is often used in formulations where taste and stability are critical.

Main function:

· Replenish iron;

· Reduce metallic taste;

· Reduce the impact on milk fat oxidation;

· Maintain powder color;

· Improve the stability of mineral-fortified formulations.

Common products:

· Adult milk powder;

· Infant formula;

· Pregnancy milk powder;

· Milk powder for middle-aged and elderly people;

· Protein nutritional powder;

· Compound nutritional powder.

5. Used in dietary supplements

Ferric phosphate can be used as a source of iron in nutritional supplements.

Main function:

· Provide a stable iron source;

· Suitable for tablet, capsule, powder, or gummy formulations;

· Reduces the metallic and irony taste;

· Combined with a variety of vitamins and minerals;

· For daily iron supplementation.

Common products:

· Iron supplement;

· Complex mineral tablets;

· Multivitamin and mineral tablets;

· Children's nutritional gummies;

· Nutritional supplements for pregnant women;

· Nutritional supplements for adults.

Summarize

Ferric pyrophosphate , also known as iron pyrophosphate , is an inorganic iron salt composed of ferric ions and pyrophosphate groups. Its common chemical formula is:

Fe₄ ( P₂O₇ ) ₃​​​

Food-grade Ferric Pyrophosphate is primarily used as an iron fortification agent and is widely applied in:

· Infant formula;

· Infant rice cereal and cereal complementary foods;

· Breakfast cereals and fortified flour;

· Milk powder for adults, children, pregnant women, and the elderly;

· Nutritional powders, meal replacement powders, and solid beverages;

· Dietary supplements;

· Special dietary foods.

In our daily lives, we may be indirectly exposed to Ferric Pyrophosphate through the following products:

· Infant formula milk powder;

· Infant rice cereal;

· Breakfast cereals;

· Fortified flour;

· Nutritional milk powder;

· Protein powder and meal replacement powder;

· Iron supplements or multivitamin and mineral products.

Finally, it must be emphasized that food-grade ferric pyrophosphate must comply with food safety regulations and be used within the prescribed scope and dosage. Industrial-grade, ceramic-grade, pigment-grade, or general reagent-grade ferric pyrophosphate cannot be used in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, health foods, or any human ingestion scenario. In food applications, special attention should be paid to iron content, heavy metal limits, particle size, dispersibility, bioavailability, sensory impact, regulatory applicability, and supplier quality documentation.