Ferrous Fumarate

Ferrous fumarate is an iron salt that appears as a reddish-orange to red powder. It is synthesized by reacting iron salts with fumaric acid, which is also found naturally in fruits.

It is primarily used as a source of iron in fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals and baked goods. It helps to increase the iron content of these products, contributing to their nutritional value.

In the U.S., ferrous fumarate is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a nutrient supplement. It is a common way to fortify foods with iron, which is an essential mineral for human health. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated ferrous fumarate. While iron is vital, excessive iron intake can be harmful, though this is rare from food fortification alone.