FERRIC AMMONIUM CITRATE, BROWN

CAS: 1332-98-5 NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT

Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown is a reddish-brown form of iron(III) ammonium citrate used as a nutrient supplement in food and beverages, soluble in water and affirmed as GRAS for use as a source of iron.

What It Is

Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown is a complex salt of iron (III), ammonium, and citric acid that functions as a nutrient supplement in food products. It is one of the two common stoichiometric forms of ferric ammonium citrate, occurring as a reddish-brown powder or granules and defined in food regulations as a nutrient source with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. This ingredient is part of the class of iron compounds used to provide supplemental iron in food formulations where water solubility and bioavailability are important. The classification of this ingredient within food additive systems globally is generally as a nutrient supplement rather than a colorant or preservative. Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown has a specific CAS number of 1332-98-5 and is described in regulatory texts as a brownish-yellow powder with significant iron content and subsequent ammoniacal character. Its use in food additives is guided by established purity and safety criteria that aim to ensure that the iron provided is suitable for human consumption under regulated use conditions. While exact structural details of the complex are variable due to its nature as a coordination compound, it is widely recognized for its role in iron fortification applications. In understanding what this ingredient is, it is helpful to contrast it with other iron sources; though it shares the role of supplying iron, its organoleptic and solubility profiles differ from other salts such as ferrous sulfate or iron chelates. This unique combination of iron and citrate, moderated by ammonium, makes it particularly useful when formulators seek a balance between solubility and minimal impact on flavor when incorporated into fortified foods and beverages.

How It Is Made

Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown is manufactured through a controlled chemical reaction that begins with ferric hydroxide and citric acid. In this process, ferric hydroxide is reacted with citric acid to produce a soluble iron-citrate complex. Ammonium hydroxide is then introduced to form the ammonium salt, followed by controlled evaporation of the solvent and drying to yield the brown solid form. The stoichiometry of the reactants and the conditions under which the reaction occurs determine whether the brown or another form of ferric ammonium citrate is produced, with the brown form containing specific ranges of iron, ammonia, and citric acid according to established specifications. This production route follows protocols that align with food-grade quality standards, often specified by compendia such as the Food Chemicals Codex. Once synthesized, the product undergoes purification to ensure that it meets identity, purity, and performance criteria appropriate for food use. Typical quality controls include testing for iron content, residual ammonia, and citric acid levels alongside checks for heavy metals and other potential contaminants. The resulting Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown must conform to established guidelines that support its classification as a food ingredient, permitting use as a nutrient source under regulatory frameworks such as that found in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. The overall process reflects a balance between industrial chemistry and regulatory compliance, ensuring that the ingredient is suitable for incorporation into a variety of food applications where addition of iron and maintenance of acceptable sensory properties are desired.

Why It Is Used In Food

Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown is used in food principally as a nutrient supplement to provide an additional source of iron, an essential mineral required for numerous biological functions. Iron plays a central role in oxygen transport and energy metabolism in humans, and food fortification with bioavailable iron sources is a common strategy to address dietary insufficiencies in populations. The brown form of ferric ammonium citrate is attractive to food formulators because it is soluble in water and can be incorporated into beverages, dry mixes, and fortified foods without excessive impact on texture or formulation stability. Beyond its nutritional role, this compound can also serve minor technical functions related to acidity regulation. The citrate component of the molecule contributes to buffering capacity in certain formulations, which can help maintain pH within desired ranges during processing or storage. In some fortified food systems, the combination of iron with citrate and ammonium may also improve the sensory profile compared to other iron salts that can impart metallic tastes or cause color changes when used at fortification levels. The use of Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown in food is guided by regulatory permissions that allow its incorporation under current good manufacturing practice, meaning it should be used at levels that achieve the intended nutritional benefit without exceeding safety considerations. This aligns with broader public health strategies aimed at reducing iron deficiency through fortification of commonly consumed foods and beverages. Overall, its adoption in food products reflects a balance between nutritional enhancement, technical performance, and regulatory compliance, making it a useful tool in the formulation of fortified foods and nutritional supplements.

Adi Example Calculation

To illustrate how iron intake from a fortified product might be contextualized, imagine a hypothetical adult diet where a fortified beverage contains a certain milligram amount of iron provided by Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown. If a product delivers a supplement dose of iron that contributes a moderate portion toward the daily recommended dietary allowance for iron, the remainder of iron intake would come from other foods consumed throughout the day. This illustration does not recommend specific intakes but shows how fortification fits into broader nutritional planning. It emphasizes that intake assessments consider the contribution of all dietary iron sources together, ensuring that total daily intake stays within safe and beneficial ranges. Products are usually formulated such that iron contributions from individual servings complement dietary needs without exceeding established safety margins.

Safety And Health Research

Safety and health research related to Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown focuses primarily on its role as a source of iron and the broader context of iron nutrition and safety. Iron is an essential micronutrient necessary for oxygen transport and energy metabolism, but both deficiency and excess iron intake can have physiological consequences. Studies of iron compounds, including soluble iron salts, inform how these ingredients contribute to dietary iron without introducing undue risk when used appropriately. Regulatory evaluations consider toxicological data, bioavailability, and the potential for gastrointestinal tolerance issues at elevated intake levels. While this specific ferric ammonium citrate variant has been affirmed as GRAS for food use under current manufacturing practices, safety assessments for food additives generally examine endpoints such as acute toxicity, potential for irritation, and long-term exposure outcomes. The absence of extensive toxicological concerns under conditions of typical use is reflected in its regulatory acceptance as a nutrient supplement; however, as with all iron sources, safety margins are based on achieving nutritional benefits without exceeding safe exposure thresholds. Research in nutritional science has documented how soluble iron salts, including iron citrate complexes, behave in the digestive tract, contributing to absorption of iron and influencing systemic iron pools. These studies support the understanding that incorporating iron compounds into diets can help mitigate iron deficiency when appropriately dosed, while acknowledging that excessive iron intake can be harmful. Therefore, product labeling and formulation practices emphasize use within established nutritional guidelines. Overall, the safety profile of Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown is consistent with its characterization as a nutrient supplement suitable for food use. Regulatory acceptance is grounded in evaluations that balance nutrient delivery with safety considerations, informed by scientific data on iron metabolism and tolerance.

Regulatory Status Worldwide

The regulatory status of Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown across jurisdictions reflects its acceptance as a food-grade nutrient supplement when used in accordance with established food additive frameworks. In the United States, this ingredient is listed in the Code of Federal Regulations under 21 CFR 184.1296 as Ferric Ammonium Citrate, affirming that it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used in food as a nutrient supplement under conditions of current good manufacturing practice. This listing describes physical characteristics and preparation methods, and it explicitly permits its use in food products as a source of iron. The regulation also notes that the ingredient may be used in infant formula within specific statutory provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. These permissions imply that the ingredient is acceptable for use in regulated food products without specific maximum numerical limits, relying instead on good manufacturing practice. On the international stage, Codex and other global food additive systems recognize ferric ammonium citrate under international numbering systems, reflecting its functional class as a nutrient supplement. Relevant provisions accessible through the FAO/WHO GSFA database indicate that ferric ammonium citrate (often associated with INS number 381) is permitted in certain food categories with specified maximum levels, such as in concentrates for water-based flavored drinks. These international provisions guide member countries in establishing their own regulatory parameters, often harmonizing with Codex recommendations to ensure safety and consistency. Collectively, these regulatory frameworks underscore that Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown is recognized as appropriate for use in food when employed as a nutrient source and formulated to meet the standards of identity and purity established by authoritative compendia and regulators. Such status supports global trade and formulation practices while aligning with public health goals for nutritional enhancement.

Taste And Functional Properties

Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown is generally described as having minimal intrinsic flavor at typical use levels, though as an iron-containing salt there may be a subtle metallic or slightly acidic note in concentrated solutions. Its primary sensory contribution in food products is typically negligible when incorporated within the ranges permitted by regulatory frameworks, particularly when careful formulation practices are applied to mask or balance any minor off-notes. Functionally, this ingredient is highly soluble in water, which facilitates its inclusion in aqueous-based products such as beverages, powdered drink mixes, and nutritional supplements. The citrate moiety helps enhance its solubility and can contribute to the buffering capacity of the formulation, which in turn may support stability across a range of pH conditions encountered in food processing and storage. The presence of ammonium in the molecule further influences its solubility and interaction with other ingredients, making it more adaptable in food systems compared to some other iron sources that may precipitate or interact unfavorably. From a processing standpoint, Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown performs consistently under typical food manufacturing conditions, with no unusual heat sensitivity or reactivity that would preclude its use in standard fortification applications. It generally remains stable when incorporated at proper levels and does not contribute undesirable textural changes or significant discoloration at fortification levels that meet dietary iron objectives. Overall, its functional profile — combining good solubility, manageable sensory characteristics, and reliable performance in fortified applications — makes Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown a useful choice for formulators seeking to enhance the iron content of foods and beverages without compromising product quality.

Acceptable Daily Intake Explained

Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is a regulatory concept that describes the amount of a substance that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk. For nutrient supplements like Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown, this concept is intertwined with the nutritional context of iron, recognizing that adequate iron intake is essential for health, while excessive iron can lead to adverse effects. Rather than a specific ADI established for this compound alone in all food frameworks, ADIs or tolerable intake levels for iron are informed by broader nutritional assessments of iron in the diet. In general, the safety of iron fortification is evaluated within the context of total dietary iron intake from all sources including food, fortified products, and supplements. Regulatory guidance often references nutritional requirements for iron in different population groups and sets upper intake levels to avoid excessive iron accumulation. Formulators use these benchmarks to determine appropriate fortification levels that deliver nutritional benefits without exceeding safe intake limits. For consumers and product developers, it is important to understand that an ADI for an iron-containing additive such as Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown does not imply a target intake, but rather a safety boundary based on current scientific understanding. The goal in fortification is to help individuals meet their nutritional needs without surpassing safety thresholds established by authoritative bodies. Thus, in practical terms, manufacturers ensure that fortified products provide iron contributions aligned with dietary reference values, considering the whole diet, and regulators review these practices to support public health objectives.

Comparison With Similar Additives

Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown can be compared with other iron-containing food additives in terms of solubility, sensory impact, and application niches. For example, ferrous sulfate is another common iron fortificant but tends to have lower water solubility and may impart stronger metallic tastes in fortified foods. In contrast, the citrate complex in Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown enhances solubility and can reduce sensory drawbacks in beverages and aqueous formulations. Iron gluconate is another fortificant source with good solubility and milder sensory effects, often used in similar applications. Compared with Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown, iron gluconate may be preferred in specific applications where minimal impact on flavor is paramount, though formulation requirements vary by product. Both additives serve to supply dietary iron, but their chemical forms and interactions within food systems differ. Some products also use chelated iron forms designed for enhanced bioavailability, particularly in specialized nutrition products. These chelates may offer advantages in absorption but can come at higher formulation cost compared with simpler citrate salts. The choice among these iron sources reflects a balance between technical performance, sensory profile, regulatory acceptance, and nutritional objectives.

Common Food Applications Narrative

Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown is commonly incorporated into fortified food applications where additional iron is desired to support nutritional goals. One typical area of use is in fortified beverages and drink mixes, where the high water solubility of this iron source enables it to disperse uniformly without significant impact on clarity or texture. In such products, it provides a means to deliver supplemental iron to consumers seeking enhanced dietary intake, particularly in populations at risk for low iron stores. Another common application is in dry food mixes and nutritional supplements, where Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown is blended into powders that reconstitute into beverages or meal replacements. Its compatibility with other powdered ingredients and stable performance under manufacturing conditions make it suitable for inclusion alongside vitamins, minerals, and macronutrient components. This supports product developers in designing comprehensive nutrient solutions that align with consumer expectations for convenience and nutritional value. Food formulators also employ this ingredient in the fortification of certain staple foods and cereals, especially in markets where regulations or public health initiatives encourage iron enhancement to address dietary iron gaps. Its role here is to ensure that the final product delivers a meaningful contribution to the recommended daily intake of iron without introducing undesirable sensory changes. Across these diverse applications, the use of Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Brown reflects a broader trend in food science toward targeted nutrient fortification, helping manufacturers meet both regulatory requirements and consumer demand for nutrient-rich products.

Safety & Regulations

FDA

  • Approved: True
  • Regulation: 21 CFR 184.1296

EFSA

  • Notes: EFSA specific approval and numeric limits not verified via authoritative link

JECFA

  • Notes: Exact JECFA numerical ADI not verified for this CAS variant

Sources

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