Iron absorption in Indians studied by whole body counting: a comparison of iron compounds used in salt fortification.

Abstract

SummaryFortification of common salt (NaCl) with iron has been suggested, for preventing iron deficiency anaemia in India. From a technological point of view three insoluble iron compounds: sodium iron pyrophosphate, ferric orthophosphate and ferric pyrophosphate have been considered suitable for this purpose. Absorption of iron from these compounds and ferrous sulphate was studied in 45 healthy male adult subjects employing 59Fe labelled salts and whole body counting. “When given alone, mean absorption of iron from ferric orthophosphate, sodium iron pryophos‐phate and ferric pyrophosphate were 8.3%, 6.3% and 0% respectively, while absorption from ferrous ascorbate was 30.6%. However, when administered with a meal of the type normally consumed in India, iron absorption from sodium iron pyrophosphate was unacceptably low, while that from ferrous sulphate was only 3.7%. It is concluded that these insoluble iron compounds are not acceptable for fortification of common salt from the point of view of availability of iron.