E585 / Acidity regulators & anti-caking agents
Ferrous lactate
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Ferrous lactate is an iron salt of lactic acid used as a food colorant and iron fortificant, notably to preserve the black color of ripe olives and to fortify foods and supplements against iron deficiency. It is generally well absorbed and tolerated, though like other iron sources it can cause mild digestive upset in some people.
Also appears on labels as: E585, E 585, E-585, INS 585, Ferrous lactate, Iron(II) lactate, Iron lactate, Lactic acid iron salt, Iron(II) salt of lactic acid, Fe(C3H5O3)2, Ferrous lactate (color stabilizer), Ferrous lactate (iron fortificant).
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- None recorded
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Health notes from our ingredient record
- Generally safe at typical food and supplemental levels.
- May cause mild gastrointestinal effects (nausea, constipation) at higher doses.
- Iron supplementation should be avoided by people with iron-overload conditions (e.g. hemochromatosis) unless medically directed.
Country rules
Country checks for E585
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex II Part B, version , contains the exact code E585: Ferrous lactate. Listing alone does not allow every food use. Part E food categories, limits, specifications and applicable later acts still need a product-specific check. Source read: . |
| Great Britain | The FSA register record for E585 (Ferrous lactate) lists “Authorised” in England, Scotland and Wales. Register updated: 01 April 2025; record checked: . Food-specific conditions and specifications still need a separate legal check. |
| United States | Selected US conditions for Ferrous lactate Official federal text current through ; read . Food uses, limits and exceptionsNamed preparation and use conditions The specified ferrous lactate is listed as a nutrient supplement and colour fixative for ripe olives under good manufacturing practice. Infant-formula use has separate statutory/regulatory conditions. Neither the ingredient name nor this listing supplies a personal iron recommendation. EatMatrix’s reading: a legal use condition answers where and how an ingredient may be used. It is not a test of your product, a personal safe intake or a claim that the ingredient benefits your body. Match the named substance, food and amount. Other federal provisions, food standards, state rules and later changes may also apply; this is a selected source review, not a complete product-compliance decision. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Exact use and legal category need confirmation No exact additive-use row was found for this mineral salt. CFIA distinguishes mineral nutrients and supplemental ingredients from listed technological additive uses. A nutrient role does not authorize a technological use automatically. EatMatrix reading: Match the exact salt, intended purpose, product category and applicable fortification or supplemented-food rules. Another mineral salt’s permission is not transferable. Name and category review: . This describes the legal source check, not a finding that the ingredient is safe, unsafe or untested. Sources and names checkedNames checked: Ferrous lactate; Potassium Gluconate; Ferrous Lactate; Zinc Acetate. All 15 Health Canada permitted-additive lists were checked by exact name, with the reviewed alternatives above. E-numbers alone are not Canadian ingredient names. The Justice Canada consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026. A complete product decision also requires its composition, specifications, intended food and use, quantities, applicable separate provisions and any later changes. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Original ingredient record
- No research links in the original record. Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe |
| WHO | Safe |
| EFSA | Safe |
| FSANZ | Safe |
| Japan | Safe |
| UK FSA | Safe |
| Health Canada | Safe |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E585?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E585 (Ferrous lactate) is “Safe”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E585 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Ferrous lactate — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E585 and why is it used?
Ferrous lactate is an iron salt of lactic acid used as a food colorant and iron fortificant, notably to preserve the black color of ripe olives and to fortify foods and supplements against iron deficiency. It is generally well absorbed and tolerated, though like other iron sources it can cause mild digestive upset in some people.
Does E585 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Ferrous lactate.
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This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.