What is Ferrous Gluconate Used For?
Ferrous gluconate (iron(II) gluconate, CAS 299-29-6, E579) is a water-soluble iron salt used in selected food, supplement, olive-processing, and feed formulations. Buyers should compare elemental-iron content, solubility, sensory profile, stability, contaminant limits, and regulatory status for the intended market and finished-product category.
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 support B2B buyers with production-side technical review, batch documentation, and export coordination through the group structure.
Key Applications
Food Fortification
In the United States, 21 CFR 184.1308 identifies ferrous gluconate for use as a nutrient supplement under current good manufacturing practice, with infant-formula use subject to the applicable requirements of section 412 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In the EU and other markets, permitted use depends on the specific product category, nutrient-source rules, additive provisions, and use conditions. WIS supplies food-grade material to an agreed specification; the buyer remains responsible for confirming the finished product’s regulatory position. For matrix and dosage selection, read our guide to mineral gluconates for food fortification.
Dietary Supplements and Prenatal Vitamins
Food-grade ferrous gluconate may be evaluated by supplement formulators seeking a water-soluble iron source. Suitability, dose, claims, interactions, and tolerability must be assessed for the finished formulation and target population under applicable rules. WIS provides the product specification, recent batch COA, SDS, and applicable controlled documents for buyer qualification. Compare iron with other gluconate minerals for dietary supplements.
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
Feed-grade ferrous gluconate is supplied for mineral premixes and compound-feed formulations. Buyers should specify the target animal category, inclusion rate, destination market, contaminant limits, and required feed-safety documents. Performance and permitted use must be validated in the finished feed and regulatory context.
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.
Commercial MOQ: 500 kg. Standard 20-foot FCL loading and available Incoterms are confirmed for the order. Qualification sample availability, lead time, loading plan, freight basis, and delivery schedule are stated in the current quotation.
Quality & Compliance
WIS Biotech’s ferrous gluconate production lines are covered under the following active certification programs:
- ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 – held by Definly Chemicals; buyers should verify the current controlled certificate, named site, scope, and validity
- FSSC 22000 – held by WIS Biotech; applicability depends on the current certified site and scope
- BRCGS – held by WIS Biotech; applicability depends on the current certified site and scope
- Halal – IFANCA – held by Definly Chemicals; product and destination applicability must be confirmed from the controlled certificate
- Kosher – OU – held by Definly Chemicals; product and destination applicability must be confirmed from the controlled certificate
- FAMI-QS – held by WIS Biotech; buyers should confirm the current certified site, scope, and covered feed operation
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?
Ferrous sulfate generally contains more elemental iron by weight, while ferrous gluconate differs in solubility, sensory profile, and formulation behavior. Absorption and tolerability depend on dose, finished formulation, user population, and use conditions, so buyers should validate performance rather than rely on a blanket superiority claim. See our full ferrous gluconate vs ferrous sulfate comparison.
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?
In the United States, 21 CFR 184.1308 identifies ferrous gluconate as a nutrient supplement and permits use in infant formula subject to the applicable requirements of section 412. EU use must be assessed under the current formula-composition rules and authorized nutrient-source lists; E579 status alone does not establish suitability for infant formula. WIS food-grade material is not pharmaceutical grade. Buyers must confirm the formula category, market, use level, and specification.
What is the MOQ and how quickly can orders ship?
The commercial MOQ is 500 kg. Qualification sample availability and lead time depend on grade, stock, packaging, destination, order volume, and courier or freight conditions; confirm them in the current quotation.
Can you supply ferrous gluconate for the EU olive processing industry (E579)?
WIS can supply food-grade ferrous gluconate for buyer evaluation in black-olive processing. In the EU, E579 use is subject to the authorized food category, maximum level, and current additive conditions. Buyers should verify the destination-market rules and approve the specification and batch COA before use. More on documents and shipping for European gluconate buyers.
Which entity holds the Halal and Kosher certificates?
Halal and Kosher certificates are held by Definly Chemicals, not WIS Biotech. Controlled copies may be requested where relevant. Buyers should confirm the certificate holder, named site, product/grade scope, validity, and destination-market acceptance before approval.
Request a Ferrous Gluconate Quote
Request a quote or qualification sample and include the grade, intended application, target specification, packaging, trial and annual volume, destination, and Incoterm. Ask for the current specification, SDS, recent batch COA, and applicable certificates.
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.