Ferrous sulfate mixed with NaFeEDTA and iron absorption in young children
What it found
Mixing ferrous sulfate with another iron compound raised iron uptake from food in young children.
The authors found this worked better than using ferrous sulfate alone.
What they found
Studies in people
Iron uptake comparison
In the first test, children took up about 8.0% of iron from ferrous sulfate and 9.2% from the other compound. The difference between these two amounts was small.
Mixed iron works better
In the second test, a blend of 2 mg ferrous sulfate and 2 mg of the other compound gave 6.4% iron uptake. Using 4 mg of ferrous sulfate alone gave only 4.1% uptake. This rise was significant.
What the authors conclude
- They note that the boosting effect of EDTA is weaker when meals already contain ingredients that help iron uptake.
- They conclude that an equal mix of ferrous sulfate and NaFeEDTA significantly improved how much iron the children absorbed.
- The authors suggest this mixture could be a useful way to make sure children get enough iron from foods that naturally block its uptake.
How it was done
Using one specific iron compound alone to fortify baby food would mean adding too much EDTA for young children. The researchers wanted to see if mixing it with ferrous sulfate could still boost iron uptake without going over that limit.
Two separate groups of toddlers, one with 14 children and another with 15, each ate a fortified meal on different occasions. The meals were millet porridge with cabbage, tofu, and pork dumplings. Iron uptake was measured by tracking special iron markers that entered their red blood cells.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial tested just one type of meal, so results might differ with other foods.
- The study measured short term iron uptake rather than long term health outcomes like growth or energy levels.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Key Laboratory of Trace Element Nutrition of the Ministry of Health, China
The paper
- Title
- Mixture of ferric sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NaFeEDTA) and ferrous sulfate: an effective iron fortificant for complementary foods for young Chinese children
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Chang S, Huang Z, Ma Y, et al (2012). Mixture of ferric sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NaFeEDTA) and ferrous sulfate: an effective iron fortificant for complementary foods for young Chinese children. Food and nutrition bulletin. doi:10.1177/156482651203300204PubMed 22908692DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error