Foods Containing E585 (Ferrous Lactate)
E585 (Ferrous Lactate) is an iron salt of lactic acid, usually from plant fermentation, used as a acidity regulator to help control the acidity or alkalinity of food. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E585
E585 is used across baked goods, soft drinks, sweets, dairy products and processed foods. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Baked goods
- Soft drinks
- Sweets
- Dairy products and processed foods
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E585 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E585" or as "Ferrous Lactate".
How to spot E585 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "acidity regulators: E585" or "acidity regulators: ferrous lactate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Ferrous Lactate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E585?
E585 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E585.
Full guide to E585: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).