Iron carbonate
Description of substance
Ferrous carbonate (siderite, iron carbonate, E505, iron spar, Ferrous Carbonate) is an inorganic compound represented by white trigonal crystals. It is a mineral of sedimentary origin with a characteristic brown color.
The substance is insoluble in water, but easily soluble in mineral acids. Decomposes at temperatures from 490 degrees Celsius. For industrial purposes, iron carbonate is obtained by the interaction of iron salts (in solutions) with alkali metal carbonates.
The chemical formula of the substance is FeСO3.
Application of iron carbonate
Ferrous carbonate is used as a food additive with the properties of an emulsifier and acidity regulator, helping to maintain the required consistency of the product. It is used in the production of canned vegetables and fruit (adjika, lecho, squash caviar, eggplant caviar, jams, preserves), baby food, confectionery (baked goods, confiture) and fillings for them.
In addition, iron carbonate is used in the feed industry to enrich livestock feed with microelements.
The harm of iron carbonate
The results of scientific tests and studies have confirmed the clear harm of iron carbonate to human health. For this reason, the food additive was excluded from the list of permitted according to all international standards, including the standards of the Russian Federation, with the status of "potentially dangerous" being assigned. E505 is prohibited for use in the food industry in Russia, neighboring countries, the European Union and the United States.
Ferrous carbonate was excluded from the list of food additives SanPiN 2.3.2.1293 by amendments of December 23, 2010. Despite the ban on its use, the E505 additive is still used by some unscrupulous manufacturers who include iron carbonate in food.
The danger of iron carbonate and other food additives for human health is that the harmful substances that make up their composition accumulate in the tissues of the body and, over time, cause a gradual disruption of its vital systems, damaging organs. The liver, kidneys, hematopoietic system, and digestive organs suffer from the poisonous substances E505. In some cases, ingestion of an inorganic iron carbonate compound can cause allergic reactions.
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