Food Grade/Feed grade/Battery grade Iron content 36% Ferric phosphate CAS 10045-86-0

What is Ferric phosphate? How does it work?

Ferric phosphate, also known as iron phosphate or ferric phosphate, is an iron salt composed of ferric ions and phosphate groups. Its chemical formula is FePO4, and its CAS number is 10045-86-0. It is a white to light pink crystalline powder, almost insoluble in water, and is an approved iron fortifier for food. It provides iron to the body in a stable and gentle manner – this is its core ability to play a role in iron supplementation in infant formula, fortified flour, and cereal products.

Basic information : Chinese name: Ferric phosphate (also known as orthophosphate, ferric phosphate, edible ferric phosphate); English name: Ferric phosphate (also known as Iron(III) phosphate); CAS number: 10045-86-0; Molecular formula: FePO4; Molecular weight: 150.82 (186.85 for FePO4·2H2O dihydrate); Melting point: approximately 1000℃; Almost insoluble in water and ethanol, soluble in inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid; Other names: orthophosphate, ferric phosphate, iron(III) phosphate, etc.

Structurally , ferric phosphate is composed of ferric ions Fe³⁺ and phosphate ions PO₄³⁻. The ferric octahedrons and phosphoric oxytetrahedra are connected by shared angular oxygen atoms to form a three-dimensional framework. It exists in various crystal forms, including α-quartz-like structures, monoclinic structures, and amorphous forms. The common hydrated form is the dihydrate FePO₄·2H₂O. Different crystal forms have slight differences in solubility and thermal stability. Food-grade ferric phosphate is mostly light-colored crystals or powder.

Physically , ferric phosphate is a white, grayish-white, or light pink crystalline powder; it is almost insoluble in cold water and ethanol, but soluble in inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid; its density is about 2.74-2.87 g/cm³; its melting point is about 1000℃; it has no tendency to absorb moisture and deliquesce, and is stable when stored at room temperature.

Chemically , ferric phosphate is a stable trivalent ferric salt: iron exists in the trivalent form, is not easily oxidized in air, and its iron content remains stable over a long period of time; it is almost insoluble in water, but gradually dissolves in acidic media (such as gastric acid); it reacts with strong alkalis to form ferric hydroxide precipitate; its catalytic effect on oil oxidation is weaker than that of divalent ferric salts, making it suitable for addition to oily foods; it is heat-resistant, and its iron content is not lost after processing such as baking and puffing.

Why does ferric phosphate play these roles in food products such as infant formula, cereal baking, and dietary supplements? Its mechanism of action mainly includes the following:

The mechanism of iron supplementation by ferric iron : Ferric iron ions are the stable form of iron. After ferric phosphate enters the human body, it releases iron, which participates in the synthesis of hemoglobin, improves oxygen-carrying capacity, and prevents iron deficiency anemia—this is its core value as an iron fortifier.

Low solubility, slow release, and mild mechanism : Ferric phosphate is almost insoluble in water. It gradually dissolves and releases iron ions after entering the gastric acid environment. It is absorbed steadily and has little irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, unlike highly water-soluble ferrous salts which are more likely to cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

Neutral color and flavor mechanism : Ferric phosphate is a light-colored powder with no metallic rust taste. Unlike ferrous sulfate and other ferrous salts, it will not darken the color of food or bring unpleasant flavors. It is especially suitable for light-colored foods such as flour, milk powder, and grains.

Stable form and processing mechanism : Trivalent iron is not easily oxidized in air, and the iron content is stable. It does not lose or deteriorate after baking, puffing, or long-term storage. It also catalyzes less oil oxidation, making it suitable for industrial food processing.

Dry powder dispersion adaptation mechanism : Ferric phosphate can be evenly dispersed in dry powder systems such as flour, milk powder, and grains in the form of fine powder. It has good mixability and flowability, which makes it easy to accurately control the amount of fortification in large-scale production.

All Uses of Food-Grade Ferric Phosphate

1. Infant formula and complementary food field

Infant formula

Iron is supplemented in a stable trivalent iron form, which does not react with the emulsion base and does not affect the color and flavor.

Corresponding products: infant formula, follow-up formula, etc.

Infant rice cereal and complementary foods

Its powder form makes it easy to mix with complementary foods such as rice cereal, and it provides gentle iron supplementation.

Corresponding products: infant rice cereal, complementary food powder, teething biscuits, etc.

2. Cereals and Baked Goods

Fortified flour and bread

Iron fortifier, especially suitable for baked staple foods such as bread and steamed buns.

Corresponding products: fortified flour, bread, steamed buns, biscuits, etc.

Breakfast cereals and instant oatmeal

Iron-fortified, it is resistant to processing and does not affect the color of grains.

Corresponding products: breakfast cereals, instant cereals, cereal bars, etc.

3. Dietary supplements and health foods

Iron supplements

It provides gentle iron supplementation with minimal gastrointestinal irritation, making it suitable for daily iron supplementation.

Corresponding products: iron supplement tablets, iron capsules, iron powder, etc.

4. Special Dietary Foods

Meal replacement and sports nutrition products

It provides iron and minerals for people who use meal replacements or exercise.

Corresponding products: meal replacement powder, protein bars, energy bars, etc.

Special medical foods

Provide iron nutrition support for people with specific nutritional needs.

Corresponding products: Complete nutritional formula powder , complete nutritional food, etc.

5. Other food fortification areas

Fortified rice and flour products

Fortify the iron content in dried noodles, rice noodles, and rice vermicelli.

Corresponding products: fortified noodles, nutritious noodles, nutritious rice noodles, etc.

Baking premix powder

Iron is fortified in premixed powders such as cake mix and muffin mix.

Corresponding products: baking premixes, cake mixes, pancake mixes, etc.

Summary

Ferric phosphate (CAS 10045-86-0) is an iron salt composed of ferric ions and phosphate groups. The stable form of ferric iron ensures its long-term stable iron content and resists catalyzing lipid oxidation. Its extremely low water solubility allows for slow release of iron only after entering gastric acid, making it gentle on the stomach. Its light-colored powder form also prevents it from affecting the color and flavor of food—these three characteristics make it a "mild" option in food iron fortification. From infant formula, fortified flour, and breakfast cereals to iron supplements, meal replacements, and medical foods , it silently protects the body's iron nutrition in a stable manner. Understanding its ferric iron form and low solubility explains why it has long held a place in the field of food iron fortification.