Ferrous sulfate mixed with NaFeEDTA and iron absorption in children
What it found
In young Chinese children, a 1:1 mix of ferrous sulfate and NaFeEDTA led to more iron being absorbed from a fortified meal than ferrous sulfate alone.
The same was not seen at the lower iron level.
What they found
Studies in people
Iron absorption at 2 mg
At the 2 mg iron level, absorption was 8.0% from ferrous sulfate and 9.2% from NaFeEDTA. The difference was not significant.
Iron absorption at 4 mg
At the 4 mg iron level, absorption was 6.4% from the 1:1 mix of ferrous sulfate and NaFeEDTA and 4.1% from ferrous sulfate alone. This difference was significant.
Amount of iron absorbed
In study 2, the amount of iron absorbed rose from 0.20 mg with ferrous sulfate alone to 0.31 mg with the mix.
Other findings
Meal composition effect
The authors say the meal's cabbage and small amount of pork may have diluted the boosting effect of EDTA, because those ingredients also help iron absorption.
What the authors conclude
“the equal mixture of FeSO4 and NaFeEDTA significantly enhanced iron absorption and can be a strategy to ensure adequate iron absorption from phytate-containing complementary foods.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that the equal mixture of FeSO4 and NaFeEDTA significantly enhanced iron absorption and can be a strategy to ensure adequate iron absorption from phytate-containing complementary foods.
- They suggest that the enhancing effect of this mixture in cereal gruels containing no other meal components is likely to be even greater.
- They say the mixture also has a lower cost because NaFeEDTA is more expensive than FeSO4.
How it was done
The authors wanted to see if mixing ferrous sulfate with NaFeEDTA could boost iron absorption without going over the daily EDTA limit for young children.
Two crossover studies gave 14 and 15 children aged 24 to 31 months a millet porridge and dumpling meal fortified with iron. Study 1 used 2 mg iron as either ferrous sulfate or NaFeEDTA. Study 2 used 4 mg iron as either ferrous sulfate or a 1:1 mix of ferrous sulfate and NaFeEDTA. Iron absorption was measured from blood samples over 14 days.
What it can’t tell you
- This was a short study measuring iron absorption from single meals. It cannot show whether using this mixture over time improves iron status or reduces anemia.
- The children were generally well-nourished and the meal was less inhibitory than many other complementary foods, so the results may differ in other settings.
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
- Full text
- 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:10.1177/156482651203300204Free full textPubMed 22908692DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error