Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and materials in Contact with Food on a request from the Commission related to Ferrous bisglycinate as a source of iron for use in the manufacturing of foods

In 2004, The Scientific Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA Panel) evaluated the safety of iron in general, when present in fortified foods and food supplements, but considered that the available data were insufficient to establish a tolerable upper intake level for iron. The NDA Panel also indicated there are certain subgroups of the population (men and postmenopausal women) that may develop biochemical indicators of high iron stores by the additional intake of iron from food supplements. Based on estimates of current iron intakes in European countries, the NDA Panel concluded that the risk of adverse effects from high iron intake from food sources, including fortified foods in some countries, but excluding supplements, is considered to be low for the population as a whole, except for those homozygous for hereditary haemochromatosis.