Experience with Ferrous Bis-Glycine Chelate as an Iron Fortificant in Milk

Abstract

The objective of this study was to test whether milk is an appropriate vehicle for fortification with ferrous bis-glycine chelate and whether it has any effect on milk’s organoleptic properties. In addition, the study examined the children’s acceptability and tolerance of the fortifying agent. One hundred thirty-one children aged 6–14 years (79 males and 52 females) from two dormitories of the Ministry of Social Welfare in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia participated in this study. The results of this trial showed that milk fortified with this iron chelate has unaltered organoleptic properties and is well accepted by the children. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were measured before and after consuming one liter of milk fortified with 30 mg ferrous bis-glycine chelate per liter (6 mg elemental iron per liter) per day, for a period of three months. The prevalence of anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL) significantly dropped from 25.3 to 5.0%, and 23.0 to 9.6%, among boys and girls respectively. The prevalence of low serum ferritin values among boys dropped from 8.8 to 5.9% and significantly from 21.1 to 12.1% among girls. No control group was included in this study. It is concluded that ferrous bis-glycine chelate in milk does not alter milk’s organoleptic properties; furthermore, it improved hemoglobin and ferritin serum levels among anemic children, suggesting milk as an appropriate vehicle for fortification with this chelate.