Iron deficiency and iron fortified foods—a review

Abstract

Iron is a mineral that is necessary for producing red blood cells and for redox processes. Iron deficiency is considered to be the commonest worldwide nutritional deficiency and affects approximately 20% of the world population. Lack of iron may lead to unusual tiredness, shortness of breath, a decrease in physical performance, and learning problems in children and adults, and may increase your chance of getting an infection. This deficiency is partly induced by plant-based diets, containing low levels of poorly bio-available iron. The most effective technological approaches to combat iron deficiency in developing countries include supplementation targeted to high risk groups combined with a program of food fortification and dietary strategies designed to maximize the bio-availability of both the added and the intrinsic food iron. In this paper, different aspects related to iron-fortified foods is reviewed. These include used iron compounds, considering its bioavailability and organoleptic problems, food vehicles and possible interactions.