What is Ferrous Gluconate Used For?
Ferrous gluconate (iron(II) gluconate, CAS 299-29-6) is an organic iron salt formed by combining ferrous iron with gluconic acid. Unlike inorganic ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate delivers iron in a chelated organic matrix that substantially reduces gastrointestinal irritation and improves taste neutrality — making it the iron compound of choice for food fortification, prenatal supplements, and infant nutrition where consumer tolerability and clean sensory profile are non-negotiable product requirements.
WIS Biotech has manufactured food-grade and feed-grade ferrous gluconate since 2015 from its Shandong, China production complex. Our 10,000 m² facility operates at 60,000 MT/year combined gluconate capacity and exports to customers in over 80 countries. Vertically integrated from gluconic acid fermentation to finished mineral salts, we offer B2B buyers direct-manufacturer pricing, short lead times, and comprehensive export documentation without trading-company markups.
Key Applications
Food Fortification
Ferrous gluconate is approved as iron fortifier E579 in the EU (Directive 2006/52/EC), GRAS by the US FDA (21 CFR 184.1315), and listed under China GB 2760. Its near-neutral taste and pale coloration make it ideal for fortifying wheat flour, pasta, infant cereals, and ready-to-eat snacks without compromising sensory quality. WIS Biotech produces ferrous gluconate to E579 and JECFA purity standards — the global benchmarks for food fortification ingredient quality — and provides full batch documentation supporting regulatory submissions in all major markets.
Dietary Supplements and Prenatal Vitamins
At standard dosing levels of 30–50 mg elemental iron per serving, ferrous gluconate is significantly better tolerated than ferrous sulfate: the organic ligand buffers gastric acidity, reducing the nausea and constipation that drive supplement non-compliance. Prenatal multivitamins, women’s health formulas, and pediatric iron drops are the highest-value application segments. Our food-grade ferrous gluconate is regularly used by supplement contract manufacturers across North America, Europe, and Asia, with complete ingredient dossier documentation available for regulatory submissions.
Olive Processing — E579 Color Stabilizer
Ferrous gluconate reacts with polyphenols in ripe olives to form stable iron-polyphenol complexes that fix and maintain black-olive coloration through sterilization and long-term storage. EU legislation permits E579 use at defined maximum levels for this purpose. WIS Biotech supplies E579-compliant ferrous gluconate to olive processors and ingredient distributors in the Mediterranean basin and California, supported by batch CoA confirming all E579/JECFA purity criteria. Spanish-language SDS available for Mediterranean region customers on request.
Animal Feed and Mineral Premix
Iron deficiency is the most significant trace element deficiency in intensive pig and poultry production, directly affecting growth rate, immune function, and mortality. Feed-grade ferrous gluconate is incorporated into starter feeds, mineral premixes, and milk replacers where iron bioavailability is critical. Compared to ferrous sulfate, the organic form is better tolerated at higher inclusion rates and causes fewer palatability issues in sensitive feed systems for young animals. WIS Biotech operates a FAMI-QS audited feed-grade production line, supplying premix manufacturers and integrators across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia with full EU compound feed documentation.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 299-29-6 |
| Molecular Formula | C12H22FeO14 |
| Molecular Weight | 482.17 g/mol |
| Assay (dried basis) | 97.0% – 102.0% |
| Iron (Fe) Content | 11.8% – 12.5% |
| Appearance | Yellow-grey to buff fine powder |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water |
| pH (5% solution) | 3.5 – 5.5 |
| Loss on Drying | 6.5% max |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | 20 ppm max |
| Arsenic (As) | 3 ppm max |
| Lead (Pb) | 2 ppm max |
| Available Grades | Food Grade (E579/JECFA), Feed Grade (FAMI-QS) |
Packaging & Supply
Ferrous gluconate is available in 25 kg net multi-layer kraft paper bags with inner PE liner, or 500 kg / 1,000 kg FIBCs (ton bags). Nitrogen-flush packaging available on request. Storage: below 30°C, dry and well-ventilated, away from direct sunlight.
MOQ: 500 kg. Standard 20-foot FCL at 10–18 MT. Terms: FOB Qingdao (standard); CIF, CFR, DDP available for established accounts. Lead time: 7–14 business days from order confirmation. Samples (1–5 kg) dispatched by DHL/FedEx within 3–5 business days for qualification trials.
Quality & Compliance
WIS Biotech’s ferrous gluconate production lines are covered under the following active certification programs:
- ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System covering procurement, in-process control, and final QC release
- FSSC 22000 – Food Safety System Certification (GFSI-recognized); governs food-grade production lines
- Halal – IFANCA – Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America; valid for export to Muslim-majority markets globally
- Kosher – OU – Orthodox Union; required for US specialty retail and export to Israel
- FAMI-QS – Feed Additive and Premixture Quality System (feed-grade lines only)
WIS Biotech does not produce pharmaceutical-grade (USP/BP/EP) material. Products are intended for food, feed, and industrial use. Every shipment includes CoA, SDS, and origin documentation. Health Certificates, Fumigation Certificates, and ASEAN Form E available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does ferrous gluconate compare to ferrous sulfate in bioavailability and tolerability?
Both forms show comparable elemental iron absorption in clinical studies, but ferrous gluconate is dramatically better tolerated. The organic gluconate matrix buffers gastric acidity, reducing the nausea and constipation that drive non-compliance with ferrous sulfate supplements. For brands targeting repeat purchase and long-term compliance, this tolerability advantage justifies the cost premium over inorganic iron salts.
What elemental iron content does WIS Biotech’s ferrous gluconate guarantee?
Our specification guarantees 11.8%–12.5% elemental iron (Fe) on an as-is basis, assay 97.0%–102.0% dried basis per E579/JECFA methods. Each batch CoA confirms iron content and all purity parameters. Tighter lot selection for minimum iron content targets can be arranged for large-volume contract orders.
Is your ferrous gluconate approved for use in infant formula?
Yes. Our food-grade material is manufactured to E579 and JECFA purity standards and meets requirements under EU Directive 2006/52/EC (E579), US FDA 21 CFR 184.1315, and China GB 2760 for infant formula and complementary foods. Batch documentation confirming compliance with each regulatory framework is available on request.
What is the MOQ and how quickly can orders ship?
MOQ is 500 kg. In-stock orders ship 7–14 business days FOB Qingdao. Sample orders (1–5 kg) dispatch within 3–5 business days by international courier for formulation and qualification purposes. Blanket orders with monthly call-off schedules are available for established accounts with continuous supply requirements.
Can you supply ferrous gluconate for the EU olive processing industry (E579)?
Yes. We regularly supply food-grade ferrous gluconate to olive processors and distributors serving the EU market. Batch CoA includes full E579/JECFA purity criteria confirming E579 compliance. Spanish and Italian-language SDS available for Mediterranean-region buyers on request.
Do your Halal and Kosher certificates explicitly cover ferrous gluconate?
Yes. Both IFANCA Halal and OU Kosher certificates list ferrous gluconate produced at our Shandong facility. Current valid certificates are available on our Downloads page and are renewed annually. Country-specific Halal certificates (MUI for Indonesia, JAKIM for Malaysia) can be arranged on request.
Related Resources
- Feed-Grade Gluconate & FAMI-QS: What European Buyers Need to Know
- Sourcing Gluconate from China: A Buyer’s Checklist
Customers in construction chemicals can explore industrial sodium gluconate for PCE superplasticizer compounding at our group company Definly Chemicals.
Related Products
Customers sourcing ferrous gluconate from WIS Biotech also frequently request Zinc Gluconate and Calcium Gluconate for complete mineral premix formulations.
About WIS Biotech
WIS Biotech is a dedicated gluconate ingredient manufacturer founded in 2015, headquartered in Shandong Province, China. Our 10,000 m² production facility delivers a combined annual output of 60,000 MT across eight mineral gluconate and specialty ingredient products. With a 90% export ratio and active customer relationships in over 80 countries, WIS Biotech is one of China’s leading direct-manufacturer gluconate suppliers. We are part of a group that includes Definly Chemicals, our export trading and construction chemicals affiliate. Learn more about our group structure.