EFSA has published a scientific opinion on iron milk proteinate, a combination of casein, iron and phosphate. EFSA was also asked to address the bioavailability of iron from this source.

The novel food is produced from iron salts (ferric chloride and ferric sulfate), sodium caseinate and potassium orthophosophate. It contains 2.4% iron. The available studies substantiate the availability of iron from this source. In addition, data indicate that upon ingestion, the ingredient undergoes digestion into small peptides to yield iron-bound caseinophosphopeptides that are normal constituents of the human diet, and that the iron from the novel food does not bypass the homeostatic control of iron as nutrient.

EFSA concludes that the novel food is safe under the proposed conditions of use, which includes milk and dairy powders, isotonic and sport drinks, cocoa beverage preparation (powder), malt coffee ingredient, cereal bars, Asian-style noodles, stock cubes or granulate, single meal replacement for weight reduction, food supplements, total diet replacement for weight control and food for special medical purposes.

EFSA NDA Panel (EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens), Turck D, Castenmiller J, De Henauw S, Hirsch-Ernst KI, Maciuk A, Mangelsdorf I, McArdle HJ, Naska A,Pelaez C, Pentieva K, Siani A, Thies F, Tsabouri S, Vinceti M, Cubadda F, Frenzel T, Heinonen M, PrietoMaradona M, Marchelli R, Neuhauser-Berthold M, Poulsen M, Schlatter JR, van Loveren H, Ackerl R and Knutsen HK, 2022. Scientific Opinion on the safety of iron milk proteinate as a novel food pursuant toRegulation (EU) 2015/2283 and bioavailability of iron from this source in the context of Directive 2002/46/EC. EFSA Journal 2022;20(9):7549.