Food Safety Substance
Iron
Iron is a food additive with PUBLISHED in the EU, FDA has no questions in the US, and data from 10 regulatory sources.
CAS 7439-89-6
Indexable evidence set
FDA
FDA has no questions
ADI / TDI
EFSA ADI = 0.8 mg/kg bw/day
Codex
60 row(s)
SOURCE
D1 identity resolution
e number aliases | Food Additives | dsstox identifiers | 10 matched regulatory source group(s)
Substance Identity
Resolved identifiers used to render this food-safety record.
Substance name
Iron
CAS
7439-89-6
DTXSID
DTXSID5043710
PubChem CID
23925
Evidence tier
Indexable evidence set (16)
SOURCE
EU Commission
FDA | Health Canada | Codex Alimentarius
Multi-Jurisdiction Comparison
Side-by-side status rows for the same resolved substance across public food regulators.
| Jurisdiction | Authority | Status | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | EU Commission | PUBLISHED | EU additive listing; Annex II entry |
| United States | FDA | FDA has no questions | GRAS notice |
| Canada | Health Canada | Listed | Food Colours |
| Codex | Codex Alimentarius | Listed | Colour |
SOURCE
EU Commission
EU Food Additives | EU Food Additives Database
EU Food Additive Status
EU Commission food-additive listing rows from eu_food_additives.
| Jurisdiction | E-number | Status | Type | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | E172 | PUBLISHED | substanceFAD | Iron oxides and hydroxides | - |
| European Union | E534 | PUBLISHED | substanceFAD | Iron (III) meso-Tartrate | Anti-Caking Agent in salt |
| European Union | E172 | PUBLISHED | substanceFAD | Iron oxides and hydroxides | E 172, E 507, E 331, E 433, E 464 |
SOURCE
EU Commission
EU Annex II Authorised | EU Food Additives Database
EU Annex II Authorised Uses
Authorised additive rows and use conditions from EU Annex II tables.
| Jurisdiction | E-number | Name | INS | Policy item | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | E172 | Iron oxides and hydroxides | - | POL-FAD-IMPORT-3021 | - |
| European Union | E172 | Iron oxides and hydroxides | - | POL-FAD-IMPORT-3350 | E 172, E 507, E 331, E 433, E 464 |
| European Union | E534 | Iron (III) meso-Tartrate | - | POL-FAD-IMPORT-3340 | Anti-Caking Agent in salt |
SOURCE
Codex Alimentarius
Codex GSFA
Codex GSFA Status
Codex Alimentarius GSFA permissions and maximum-use rows.
| Jurisdiction | INS / E-number | Function | Food category | Max level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 01.1.4 Flavoured fluid milk drinks | 20 mg/kg | Except for use in products conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS 243- 2003) at 100 mg/kg.; Excluding chocolate milk. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 01.6.2.2 Rind of ripened cheese | 100 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 01.6.4 Processed cheese | 50 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 01.7 Dairy-based desserts (e.g. pudding, fruit or flavoured yoghurt) | 100 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 02.4 Fat-based desserts excluding dairy-based dessert products of food category 01.7 | 350 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 03.0 Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet | 300 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 04.1.1.2 Surface-treated fresh fruit | 1,000 mg/kg | For use in glaze, coatings or decorations for fruit, vegetables, meat or fish only.; For use in decoration, stamping, marking or branding the product only. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.4 Canned or bottled (pasteurized) fruit | 300 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits (CODEX STAN 319-2015) except for use in special holiday packs for canned pears conforming to the standard.... |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.5 Jams, jellies, marmelades | 200 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.6 Fruit-based spreads (e.g. chutney) excluding products of food category 04.1.2.5 | 500 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Mango Chutney (CODEX STAN 160-1987). [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.7 Candied fruit | 250 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.9 Fruit-based desserts, including fruit-flavoured water-based desserts | 200 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 05.2 Confectionery including hard and soft candy, nougats, etc. other than food categories 05.1, 05.3 and 05.4 | 200 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Codex Regional Standard for Halawa Tehenia (CODEX STAN 309R-211). [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 05.3 Chewing gum | 5,000 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 05.4 Decorations (e.g. for fine bakery wares), toppings (non-fruit) and sweet sauces | 100 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 06.3 Breakfast cereals, including rolled oats | 75 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 06.5 Cereal and starch based desserts (e.g. rice pudding, tapioca pudding) | 75 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 07.2 Fine bakery wares (sweet, salty, savoury) and mixes | 100 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings) | 1,000 mg/kg | On the ready-to-eat basis. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 09.2.5 Smoked, dried, fermented, and/or salted fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 250 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Crackers from Marine and Freshwater Fish, Crustaceans and Molluscan Shellfish (CODEX STAN 222-2001).; Excluding products... |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 09.3.3 Salmon substitutes, caviar, and other fish roe products | 100 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Sturgeon Caviar (CODEX STAN 291-2010). [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 09.3.4 Semi-preserved fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms (e.g. fish paste), excluding products of food categories 09.3.1 - 09.3.3 | 50 mg/kg | For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 09.4 Fully preserved, including canned or fermented fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 50 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Sardines and Sardine-Type Products (CODEX STAN 94-1981).; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Crab... |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 10.1 Fresh eggs | GMP | For use in decoration, stamping, marking or branding the product only. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 10.4 Egg-based desserts (e.g. custard) | 150 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 12.2.2 Seasonings and condiments | 1,000 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 12.5 Soups and broths | 100 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Codex Standard for Bouillons and Consommés (CODEX STAN 117-1981). [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 12.6 Sauces and like products | 75 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fish Sauce (CODEX STAN 302-2011).; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Chilli Sauce (CXS 306-2011). [Group: IRON... |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 13.6 Food supplements | 7,500 mg/kg | For use in surface treatment only. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including sport, energy, or electrolyte drinks and particulated drinks | 100 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 15.1 Snacks - potato, cereal, flour or starch based (from roots and tubers, pulses and legumes) | 500 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(i) | Colour | 15.2 Processed nuts, including coated nuts and nut mixtures (with e.g. dried fruit) | 400 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 01.1.4 Flavoured fluid milk drinks | 20 mg/kg | Except for use in products conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS 243- 2003) at 100 mg/kg.; Excluding chocolate milk. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 01.6.2.2 Rind of ripened cheese | 100 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 01.6.4 Processed cheese | 50 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 01.7 Dairy-based desserts (e.g. pudding, fruit or flavoured yoghurt) | 100 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 02.4 Fat-based desserts excluding dairy-based dessert products of food category 01.7 | 350 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 03.0 Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet | 300 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 04.1.1.2 Surface-treated fresh fruit | 1,000 mg/kg | For use in glaze, coatings or decorations for fruit, vegetables, meat or fish only.; For use in decoration, stamping, marking or branding the product only. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 04.1.2.4 Canned or bottled (pasteurized) fruit | 300 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits (CODEX STAN 319-2015) except for use in special holiday packs for canned pears conforming to the standard.... |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 04.1.2.5 Jams, jellies, marmelades | 200 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 04.1.2.6 Fruit-based spreads (e.g. chutney) excluding products of food category 04.1.2.5 | 500 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Mango Chutney (CODEX STAN 160-1987). [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 04.1.2.7 Candied fruit | 250 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 04.1.2.9 Fruit-based desserts, including fruit-flavoured water-based desserts | 200 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 05.2 Confectionery including hard and soft candy, nougats, etc. other than food categories 05.1, 05.3 and 05.4 | 200 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Codex Regional Standard for Halawa Tehenia (CODEX STAN 309R-211). [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 05.3 Chewing gum | 5,000 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 05.4 Decorations (e.g. for fine bakery wares), toppings (non-fruit) and sweet sauces | 100 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 06.3 Breakfast cereals, including rolled oats | 75 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 06.5 Cereal and starch based desserts (e.g. rice pudding, tapioca pudding) | 75 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 07.2 Fine bakery wares (sweet, salty, savoury) and mixes | 100 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings) | 1,000 mg/kg | On the ready-to-eat basis. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 09.2.5 Smoked, dried, fermented, and/or salted fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 250 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Crackers from Marine and Freshwater Fish, Crustaceans and Molluscan Shellfish (CODEX STAN 222-2001).; Excluding products... |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 09.3.3 Salmon substitutes, caviar, and other fish roe products | 100 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Sturgeon Caviar (CODEX STAN 291-2010). [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 09.3.4 Semi-preserved fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms (e.g. fish paste), excluding products of food categories 09.3.1 - 09.3.3 | 50 mg/kg | For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 09.4 Fully preserved, including canned or fermented fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 50 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Sardines and Sardine-Type Products (CODEX STAN 94-1981).; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Crab... |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 10.1 Fresh eggs | GMP | For use in decoration, stamping, marking or branding the product only. [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 10.4 Egg-based desserts (e.g. custard) | 150 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 12.2.2 Seasonings and condiments | 1,000 mg/kg | [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 12.5 Soups and broths | 100 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Codex Standard for Bouillons and Consommés (CODEX STAN 117-1981). [Group: IRON OXIDES] |
| Codex | 172(ii) | Colour | 12.6 Sauces and like products | 75 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fish Sauce (CODEX STAN 302-2011).; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Chilli Sauce (CXS 306-2011). [Group: IRON... |
SOURCE
FDA
FDA GRAS
FDA GRAS Status
US FDA GRAS notice evidence from enriched and notice tables.
| Jurisdiction | GRN | Substance | FDA response | Intended use | Basis | Notifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 152 | Sodium iron EDTA | FDA has no questions | Use in iron fortification of powdered soft drinks in areas of the world with a high prevalence of iron deficiency at a level of 2.5 milligram iron/200 milliliter of reconstituted... | Scientific procedures | Kraft Foods Global |
| United States | 178 | Sodium iron EDTA | FDA has no questions | Iron fortification of soy, fish, hoisin and teriyaki sauces at an iron level of 0.024 percent; and of sweet and sour sauce at an iron level of 0.012 percent | Scientific procedures | Akzo Nobel Chemicals |
| United States | 439 | Iron complex of tartaric acid | At the notifier's request, FDA ceased to evaluate this notice | As an anti-caking agent in salt at a maximum level of 12 parts per million | Scientific procedures | Akzo Nobel Industrial Chemicals BV |
| United States | 532 | Complexation products of sodium tartrates with iron (III) chloride | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | For use as an anti-caking agent in salt at a maximum level of 12 parts per million. | Scientific Procedures | Nobian Industrial Chemicals B.V. |
| United States | 959 | Iron milk proteinate | FDA has no questions | Intended for use as a dietary source of iron in the same food categories as other iron salts at levels consistent with current good manufacturing practice. | Scientific procedures | Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. |
| United States | 1036 | Complexation products of iron with sodium citrate | FDA Has No Questions | Intended for use as an anti-caking agent in salt at a maximum use level of 135 mg/kg (or 30 mg/kg as iron). | Scientific procedures | Cargill, Inc. |
| United States | 152 | Sodium iron EDTA | FDA has no questions | Use in iron fortification of powdered soft drinks in areas of the world with a high prevalence of iron deficiency at a level of 2.5 milligram iron/200 milliliter of reconstituted... | Scientific procedures | Kraft Foods Global |
| United States | 178 | Sodium iron EDTA | FDA has no questions | Iron fortification of soy, fish, hoisin and teriyaki sauces at an iron level of 0.024 percent; and of sweet and sour sauce at an iron level of 0.012 percent | Scientific procedures | Akzo Nobel Chemicals |
| United States | 439 | Iron complex of tartaric acid | At the notifier's request, FDA ceased to evaluate this notice | As an anti-caking agent in salt at a maximum level of 12 parts per million | Scientific procedures | Akzo Nobel Industrial Chemicals BV |
| United States | 532 | Complexation products of sodium tartrates with iron (III) chloride | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | For use as an anti-caking agent in salt at a maximum level of 12 parts per million. | Scientific Procedures | Nobian Industrial Chemicals B.V. |
| United States | 1036 | Complexation products of iron with sodium citrate | FDA Has No Questions (in PDF) | Intended for use as an anti-caking agent in salt at a maximum use level of 135 mg/kg (or 30 mg/kg as iron). | Scientific procedures | Cargill, Inc. |
| United States | 959 | Iron milk proteinate | FDA has no questions (in PDF) | Intended for use as a dietary source of iron in the same food categories as other iron salts at levels consistent with current good manufacturing practice. | Scientific procedures | Soci�t� des Produits Nestl� S.A. |
SOURCE
Health Canada
Health Canada Status
Health Canada food-additive permissions by functional class and food scope.
| Jurisdiction | Class | Permitted foods | Maximum level | List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Food Colours | (a) Apple and (naming the fruit or fruits) jam; Bread; Butter; Concentrated (naming the fruit) juice, except frozen concentrated orange juice; Fig marmalade with pectin; Fish roe (caviar); Ice cream mix; Ice milk mix;... | (a) Good Manufacturing Practice | List of Permitted Food Colours |
| Canada | Food Colours | (b) Blend of prepared fish and prepared meat as set out in paragraph 18.1.3(g) of Volume 18 of the Food Compositional Standards Document | (b) Good Manufacturing Practice | List of Permitted Food Colours |
| Canada | Food Colours | (b.1) (Naming the flavour) essence; (Naming the flavour) extract; (Naming the flavour) flavour | (b.1) Good Manufacturing Practice | List of Permitted Food Colours |
| Canada | Food Colours | (c) Unstandardized foods | (c) Good Manufacturing Practice | List of Permitted Food Colours |
| Canada | Food Colours | (a) Unstandardized confectionery, except chewing gum | (a) Good Manufacturing Practice | List of Permitted Food Colours |
| Canada | Food Colours | (a) Unstandardized confectionery, except chewing gum | (a) Good Manufacturing Practice | List of Permitted Food Colours |
SOURCE
EU Commission
EU Food Contact Materials
EU FCM Substances
EU food-contact material rows and migration-limit fields.
| Jurisdiction | FCM no. | Ref no. | Substance | Use | SML | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | 80 | 81760 | powders, flakes and fibres of brass, bronze, copper, stainless steel, tin, iron and alloys of copper, tin and iron | additive/PPA | - | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I |
| European Union | 409 | 62240 | iron oxide | additive/PPA | - | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I |
| European Union | 607 | 62245 | iron phosphide | additive/PPA | - | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I |
| European Union | 983 | - | iron powder | - | - | Regulation (EC) No 450/2009, Register v1.1 |
| European Union | - | - | iron sulphate | - | - | Regulation (EC) No 450/2009, Register v1.1 |
| European Union | - | - | iron(0) modified bentonite | - | - | Regulation (EC) No 450/2009, Register v1.1 |
| European Union | - | - | iron(0) modified kaolinite | - | - | Regulation (EC) No 450/2009, Register v1.1 |
| European Union | - | - | iron(II) modified bentonite | - | - | Regulation (EC) No 450/2009, Register v1.1 |
SOURCE
JECFA
JECFA ADI
JECFA ADI Values
JECFA ADI records and evaluation years.
| Jurisdiction | Chemical name | JECFA no. | CAS | ADI | ADI upper | Function | Evaluation year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JECFA | alpha-IRONE | 403 | - | No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent | - | FLAVOURING_AGENT | 1998 |
| JECFA | AMMONIUM IRON CITRATE | - | - | no_data | - | - | 1985 |
| JECFA | SODIUM IRON EDTA | - | - | no_data | - | - | 2007 |
| JECFA | IRON OXIDE RED | - | 1309-37-1 | 0-0.5 mg/kg bw | 0.5 | COLOUR | 1979 |
| JECFA | IRON OXIDE YELLOW | - | 51274-00-1 | 0-0.5 mg/kg bw | 0.5 | COLOUR | 1979 |
| JECFA | SODIUM IRON (III) ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE, TRIHYDRATE | - | 15708-41-5 | 0-1.9 mg/kg bw (as EDTA) | 1.9 | NUTRIENT_SUPPLEMENT | 2007 |
| JECFA | IRON AMMONIUM CITRATE | - | - | no_data | - | - | 1985 |
| JECFA | alpha-IRONE, cis-(2,6)-cis-(2,2)- | - | - | no_data | - | - | 1998 |
| JECFA | IRON GLUCONATE | - | - | no_data | - | - | 1987 |
| JECFA | IRON OXIDE BLACK | - | 1317-61-9 | 0-0.5 mg/kg bw | 0.5 | COLOUR | 1979 |
| JECFA | (−)-8,9-DEHYDROTHEASPIRONE | 2059 | 85248-56-2 | No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent | - | FLAVOURING_AGENT | 2010 |
| JECFA | IRON OXIDES | - | - | 0-0.5 mg/kg bw | 0.5 | FOOD_ADDITIVE, COLOUR | 1999 |
| JECFA | IRON | - | 7439-89-6 | no_data | - | METALS | 1983 |
SOURCE
ingredients
ghs classifications
Cross-Reference to Cosmetics / Chemicals / Pharma
Same-CAS public rows from adjacent Roots verticals where available.
SOURCE
Cross-vertical comparison
ingredients | ghs classifications
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
This substance has different regulatory treatment across food, cosmetics, and industrial use.
SOURCE
FAQPage JSON-LD
public food renderer rows
Frequently Asked Questions
Food-use, safety, ADI, and cross-vertical answers mirrored into FAQPage JSON-LD.
What is Iron used for in food?
Iron appears in food-use rows as: vitamin; Colour; Food Colours.
Is Iron safe?
This page does not assign a standalone safety verdict; it renders public regulatory evidence. ADI/reference value: EFSA ADI = 0.8 mg/kg bw/day. EU status evidence: PUBLISHED. US/FDA evidence: FDA has no questions.
What is the ADI for Iron?
Iron has this ADI/reference value in the food-safety tables: EFSA ADI = 0.8 mg/kg bw/day. Source: EFSA 2015.
Is Iron also used in cosmetics?
Iron has a same-CAS cosmetics cross-reference: Iron Powder, EU status permitted.