The selection of iron type as fortificant in chocolate filled milk powder

Abstract

Many infants, children, and women of childbearing age, particularly in the poorer countries of the developing world, are iron deficient. About half of these iron-deficient individuals develop iron deficiency anemia (IDA), the most advanced form of the disease, which has several major negative impacts on health and contributes substantially to the risk of early death and disability (Hurrell 2004). The objective of this research is to find the appropriate iron type at certain level of fortification in prototype chocolate filled milk powder that is reconstituted at different temperature, based on mainly sensory evaluation, as well as chemical evaluation and keeping quality evaluation. Types of iron used in this research were Iron sulphate (FeSO4 H2O), Iron fumarate (C4H2FeO4), and Iron pyrophosphate (Fe4 (P2O7)3. 8H2O). These irons cover its properties from low and high bioavailability as well as low and high solubility. The level of iron fortification was set on 10% and 20% of daily value (DV), which corresponds to respectively 2.6 mg and 5.2 mg/serving. The temperature of water for reconstitution was proposed to adapt the consumer consumption behavior, 15oC for cold consumption, 45oC for warm consumption and 80oC for hot consumption. The selection of appropriate iron type was based on mainly sensory evaluation, chemical analysis and keeping quality evaluation. Only the appropriate iron type would undergo keeping quality evaluation with objective to see the stability of the prototype undergone NRT storage condition for at least 6 months periods of time, where it was represent the normal product age sold in the store. Based on above research methodology, the acceptable iron for fortification in chocolate filled milk powder at level both 10% and 20% DV, reconstituted at 15 – 80°C, and has stability at estimated 6 months, are Iron Fumarate and Iron Pyrophosphate.