Ferrous Lactate
The short version
An iron(II) lactate — alternative olive-blackening agent and iron fortifier.
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Where it comes from
Manufactured by reacting lactic acid with iron(II) carbonate. Available as the trihydrate (food-grade).
How it's used
Alternative to ferrous gluconate for black-olive blackening — same chemistry (iron-polyphenol complex formation), with the lactate counter-ion offering a slightly different ionic profile. Common in iron-fortified bakery products and supplements.
Safety profile
ADI not specified — considered safe. Same considerations as ferrous gluconate.
Physical & chemical properties
Greenish-yellow crystalline powder, soluble in water.
Regulation worldwide
Permitted globally for olive blackening and food iron fortification.
Educational information only. Not medical or dietary advice.