Ferric pyrophosphate: A versatile and alternative iron fortification compound

Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world, with many adverse health effects on human beings and the animals. The success of an iron fortification program depends largely on the iron compounds. In this work, the various iron fortification compounds were investigated and their advantages and disadvantages were discussed. There are three stages in the development of iron fortification compounds: inorganic iron (e.g. ferrous sulfate), organic iron (e.g. iron fumarate) and chelating iron (e.g. iron-glycine chelate). Among them, the ferric pyrophosphate does not modify organoleptic characteristics of foods, and can have a similar bioavailability with ferrous sulfate through micronization or solubilization, making it a potential and alternative iron fortification compound.