Ferrous Sulphate Heptahydrate

Ferrous Sulphate Heptahydrate is iron(II) sulphate with seven molecules of water of crystallisation: FeSO4·7H2O, molecular weight 278.01 g/mol. Iron makes up 20.09% of it by weight, calculated from that molecular weight.

It forms light green crystalline powder or bluish-green crystals that are freely soluble in water: 1 g dissolves in about 1.5 mL. It is the reference iron compound against which the absorption of other iron salts is measured.

• Pharmaceuticals: tablets and oral solutions to prevent and treat iron deficiency anaemia. Ferrous sulphate is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.
• Food fortification: an iron source for wheat flour, double fortified salt and cereal products.
• Nutritional premixes and nutraceuticals.
• Animal feed: an iron source for all animal species, usually after drying to the monohydrate for premixes.
• Industry and agriculture: water treatment, reduction of chromium(VI) in cement, and correcting iron deficiency in plants and lawns.

Both forms are the same iron salt; they differ in how much water they carry. Agarwal Life Sciences manufactures both.

Because the monohydrate carries about 1.6 times as much iron per kilogram, it is usually the more economical form where iron is bought by content, such as feed premixes.

The WHO and its partners recommend ferrous sulphate as an iron fortificant for low-extraction (white) wheat flour, at the same levels as Ferrous Fumarate.

In India, FSSAI's fortification regulations permit ferrous sulphate for fortified atta and maida (28–42.5 mg iron per kg), double fortified salt (850–1100 ppm iron) and fortified cereal products and bakery wares. It is not a permitted iron source for fortified rice. Being water-soluble, it can cause colour and flavour changes in some cereal foods, which is why Ferrous Fumarate is often chosen for dry products.

• United States: affirmed as GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1315 as a nutrient supplement and processing aid, including in infant formula.
• European Union, food: a permitted form of iron for adding to foods under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and for food supplements under Directive 2002/46/EC.
• European Union, feed: iron(II) sulphate heptahydrate is authorised as a trace-element feed additive for all animal species under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2330.
• India: a permitted iron source under the FSSAI food fortification regulations.
• HS code: 2833.29 (India ITC-HS 2833 29 10, ferrous sulphate).

Agarwal Life Sciences packs Ferrous Sulphate Heptahydrate in 25 kg paper bags with a liner, or in 50 kg HDPE drums with a liner.

The heptahydrate needs care in storage. In dry air it loses water (effloresces); in moist air it oxidises and turns brownish-yellow as basic ferric sulphate forms. The USP requires pharmaceutical product to carry a warning not to use crystals coated with that brownish-yellow layer. Keep it in tight, airtight containers, in a cool, dry place, and reseal opened packs.

• Heptahydrate and monohydrate from one manufacturer, alongside Ferrous Fumarate.
• BP, USP and Feed grades.
• 30 years of manufacturing experience, at two GMP plants at MIDC Boisar–Tarapur, Maharashtra.
• Certified to GMP, ISO 9001:2015, FSSC 22000 and FAMI-QS, with Halal and Kosher certification.
• Supplying customers in 39 countries; certificate of analysis and samples on request.