Ferric ammonium citrate
A functional iron supplement and regulator.
- Category
- Acidity regulators
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
A complex iron salt used to fortify foods with iron or act as an acidity regulator.
How it is used in food
Ferric ammonium citrate is a highly water-soluble iron salt used both as an anticaking agent (it keeps salt free-flowing) and as an iron fortificant in foods such as table salt, flour and infant cereals. Its solubility makes the iron relatively bioavailable, and iron fortification programmes using it help address iron-deficiency anaemia, the most widespread nutritional deficiency in the world.
Commonly found in- Iron supplements
- Certain carbonated drinks
Health and safety
Considered safe for consumption, though not prominently featured on the EU main additive list.
The compound is permitted as an anticaking agent for salt in a number of jurisdictions and is affirmed GRAS in the United States for use as an iron source; JECFA has evaluated ferric ammonium citrate and did not identify toxicological concerns at food-use levels. The main safety consideration is not the additive itself but total iron intake: iron is poorly excreted, and excess intake is a genuine risk for people with hereditary haemochromatosis or those taking iron supplements. It is not carried on the EU's main list of permitted additives, so European exposure comes chiefly from imported fortified products.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E381
Worth knowing
The compound is intensely light-sensitive, and that property made it a cornerstone of early photography: mixed with potassium ferricyanide it forms the light-sensitive coating of the cyanotype process invented by John Herschel in 1842 — the origin of the word 'blueprint'. The same chemistry is still used by artists making cyanotype prints today.
Conclusion
A functional iron supplement and regulator.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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