Iron fortification in cereal

Fortification means the addition to food of nutrients in such amounts that their final levels in the food are greater than those that were naturally present. Some of common foods which are present fortified with iron are commercial infant formulas, infant cereals and breakfast cereals.

Wheat is the cereal flour that so fortified most often but several countries particularly in Central and South America - also have programs for iron fortification of maize flour.

Iron has a complex chemistry as well as metabolism and reactions are dependent upon pH, potential oxidation, competition for other minerals, and presence of food components that can block or enhance its absorption.

Cereals are the most widely used vehicles for iron fortification although many others, such as milks products, sugar, curry powder, soya sauce and cookies have been successfully used.

Elemental iron or iron salts may be added to RTE cereals by mixing the source of iron with the cereal ingredients before cooking. In some cereal systems, the iron can be added to the cooked cereal dough or mash before extrusion and cutting of the cooked dough into pellets.
Iron fortification in cereal