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E579 Ferrous Gluconate: Food Additive Explained

E579 is the EU food additive ferrous gluconate, an iron salt used primarily as a colour stabiliser in processed olives and as an acidity regulator in various food products.

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Things worth knowing about "E579"

E579 is the EU food additive ferrous gluconate, an iron salt used primarily as a colour stabiliser in processed olives and as an acidity regulator in various food products.

What is E579 (Ferrous Gluconate)?

E579 refers to ferrous gluconate, the iron(II) salt of gluconic acid. It is a yellowish-grey to pale yellow powder that is approved as a food additive in the European Union under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Its primary technological function is as a colour stabiliser and acidity regulator. In nature, gluconic acid and its derivatives are found in honey, fruit juices, and fermented foods.

Chemical Properties

Ferrous gluconate is formed by combining iron(II) with gluconic acid. It is soluble in water and releases iron ions in solution. This compound is also widely used in pharmaceutical preparations as an iron supplement due to its comparatively good gastrointestinal tolerability compared to other iron salts such as ferrous sulfate.

Uses in the Food Industry

Olives: E579 is most commonly used to stabilise the black colour of processed (oxidation-darkened) olives, preventing them from discolouring during storage.
Acidity regulation: Ferrous gluconate can serve as an acidity regulator in certain food applications, helping to maintain a consistent pH and improve product stability.
Nutritional fortification: In some contexts, iron gluconate is used to fortify foods with bioavailable iron, supporting dietary iron intake particularly in populations at risk of deficiency.

Safety and Regulatory Status

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted a re-evaluation of E579 and concluded that it is safe at the levels used in food. It is authorised in the EU specifically for use in olives treated with ferrous gluconate to fix their colour. In the United States, ferrous gluconate is also recognised as a Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) substance by the FDA.

Labelling Requirements

Foods containing E579 must declare it in the ingredient list, either as E579 or by its chemical name ferrous gluconate. Consumers who need to manage their iron intake -- for example, those with haemochromatosis (a hereditary iron overload disorder) -- should be aware of iron-containing additives in their diet and consult a healthcare professional if concerned.

Tolerability and Potential Side Effects

At the amounts typically present in food, E579 is considered safe and well-tolerated for the general population. At higher doses, such as those found in iron supplements, gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, stomach cramps, and constipation may occur. These effects are characteristic of oral iron preparations in general. Individuals with iron metabolism disorders should discuss their intake of iron-containing food additives with a physician.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of ferrous gluconate (E 579) and ferrous lactate (E 585) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 2015. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4315
European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union.
Belitz, H.-D.; Grosch, W.; Schieberle, P.: Food Chemistry. 4th revised and extended edition. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg, 2009.

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