Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate

Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate is iron(II) sulphate carrying one molecule of water: FeSO4·H2O, molecular weight 169.92 g/mol. Iron makes up 32.87% of it by weight, calculated from that molecular weight, against about 20% in the heptahydrate.

The pharmacopoeias call it dried ferrous sulphate: hydrated ferrous sulphate from which part of the water has been removed by drying. It is a greyish-white to buff powder that dissolves slowly but completely in water.

• Pharmaceuticals: compact iron tablets and capsules for iron deficiency anaemia, where the higher iron content keeps doses small.
• Flour and food fortification: an iron source for wheat flour, double fortified salt and cereal products.
• Nutritional premixes: dry blends of vitamins and minerals for food manufacturers.
• Animal feed: the most common iron source in feed premixes for poultry, pigs, cattle and other species.
• Agriculture and industry: iron micronutrient fertilisers, reduction of chromium(VI) in cement, and water treatment.

The monohydrate carries about 1.6 times as much iron per kilogram, so less material, packing and freight are needed for the same iron. Agarwal Life Sciences manufactures both forms.

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: 60 ppm of iron where people eat less than 150 g of flour a day, 30 ppm at 150–300 g, and 20 ppm above 300 g. Technical guidance for flour specifies the dried form.

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, ferrous sulphate can cause colour and flavour changes in some cereal foods, so test the finished product; Ferrous Fumarate is an alternative for sensitive foods.

• United States: affirmed as GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1315, which covers both the heptahydrate and the dried form, as a nutrient supplement and processing aid.
• 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 monohydrate is authorised as a trace-element feed additive for all animal species under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2330 (identification number 3b103), incorporated into feed as a premixture.
• 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 Monohydrate in 25 kg paper bags with a liner, or in 50 kg HDPE drums.

It is more stable than the heptahydrate, but like all ferrous salts it oxidises and browns in moist air. Store it in airtight containers in a cool, dry place and reseal opened packs.

• Monohydrate and heptahydrate 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.