Dosage Control of Ferric Sodium Edetate as a Nutritional Supplement: A Detailed Analysis

I. Dosage Standards  

1. Food Fortification:  

In the food industry, ferric sodium edetate is primarily used as a nutrient fortifier to increase iron content in food. The recommended addition rate typically ranges from 0.01% to 0.1% of the total food weight, depending on the type of food and processing requirements. For example, in soy sauce, the recommended dosage is 175 mg to 210 mg of ferric sodium edetate per kilogram of soy sauce. Assuming an adult consumes 15 ml of soy sauce daily, the iron intake (elemental iron) would be approximately 4 mg. With an average absorption rate of 10%, an individual could absorb about 0.4 mg of iron per day.  

2. Health Foods:  

In health foods using EDTA-iron as a raw material, the approved health benefits are currently limited to promoting lead excretion and improving nutritional anemia. The daily intake should refer to relevant standards. For adults, the daily intake of EDTA-iron should not exceed 92 mg (equivalent to 12 mg of elemental iron), while the recommended dosage for children and adolescents is half this amount.  

II. Precautions  

EDTA-iron is not recommended as a source of iron in nutritional supplements, possibly due to its absorption efficiency or bioavailability being lower than other forms of iron. Additionally, its mechanism of compatibility with traditional Chinese medicine is unclear, and it is generally not recommended to use EDTA-iron in combination with such ingredients, except for materials with blood-enriching properties (e.g., donkey-hide gelatin or red dates). This is to avoid potential interactions or adverse effects.  

III. Target Population and Intake Recommendations  

1. Adults:  

The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends an adequate intake of iron at 15 mg/day for adult men and 20 mg/day for adult women, with a tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 50 mg/day (or 45 mg/day, depending on specific standards). When using ferric sodium edetate as a nutritional supplement, daily intake should not exceed these recommended levels.  

2. Children and Adolescents:  

The iron requirements of children and adolescents are generally lower than those of adults, and their digestive systems may absorb iron differently. Therefore, when using ferric sodium edetate as a nutritional supplement for this population, dosage control is particularly important. The recommended dosage is typically half or less of the adult dosage.  

In conclusion, when using ferric sodium edetate as a nutritional supplement, dosage control should take into account the type of food, processing requirements, target population, and recommended intake levels. During use, it should be evenly dispersed in food or health products and comply with relevant standards and recommended values to ensure safety and effectiveness. Additionally, it is important to avoid combining it with substances that may interact with it.