Iron gluconate in fortified milk reduced anemia in toddlers
What it found
In a randomised trial in Mexico, toddlers who drank milk fortified with iron gluconate, zinc oxide and ascorbic acid for 6 months had less anemia.
The share with anemia fell from 41.4% to 12.1% in the fortified group and did not change in the nonfortified group.
What they found
Studies in people
Anemia prevalence
In the fortified milk group, the share of children with anemia fell from 41.4% to 12.1%, a drop of 29 percentage points. There was no change in the nonfortified milk group.
Hemoglobin and TfR
Hemoglobin was positively associated with the fortified treatment, and soluble transferrin receptors were negatively associated with it, after accounting for starting values, age and gender.
Likelihood of anemia
After 6 months, children given fortified milk were less likely to be anemic.
Other findings
Program expansion
Based on these results, a subsidized fortified milk distribution program was broadened to 4.2 million children aged 1 to 11 years in Mexico.
What the authors conclude
“Ferrous gluconate added to whole cow's milk as a fortificant along with ascorbic acid is efficacious in reducing the prevalence of anemia and in improving iron status of Mexican toddlers.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that ferrous gluconate added to whole cow's milk as a fortificant along with ascorbic acid is efficacious in reducing the prevalence of anemia and in improving iron status of Mexican toddlers.
- The authors say the results of this study lead to broadening a subsidized fortified milk distribution program to 4.2 million beneficiary children 1-11 y of age in Mexico.
How it was done
The authors wanted to see whether whole cow's milk fortified with iron gluconate and zinc oxide, plus ascorbic acid, could lower anemia and improve iron status in low income children.
Healthy children aged 10 to 30 months were randomly assigned to drink 400 mL a day of either fortified milk or nonfortified milk for 6 months. The fortified milk provided 5.8 mg of iron as ferrous gluconate, 5.28 mg of zinc as zinc oxide and 48 mg of ascorbic acid per 400 mL. Blood markers were measured at the start and after 6 months.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial was in Mexican toddlers aged 10 to 30 months, so the results may not apply to other ages or places.
- It tested iron gluconate together with zinc oxide and ascorbic acid in milk, so it cannot show what iron gluconate alone would do.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, México
The paper
- Title
- Fortifying milk with ferrous gluconate and zinc oxide in a public nutrition program reduced the prevalence of anemia in toddlers
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Villalpando S, Shamah T, Rivera JA, Lara Y, Monterrubio E (2006). Fortifying milk with ferrous gluconate and zinc oxide in a public nutrition program reduced the prevalence of anemia in toddlers. The Journal of nutrition. doi:10.1093/jn/136.10.2633PubMed 16988138DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error