OmniFer™

Protein ingredient with naturally occurring bioavailable heme iron

Increase the iron content in food and beverages

Fortify with heme iron

Iron is an essential mineral that is needed to produce red blood cells, which are important for a healthy immune system, mental function, muscle strength and energy.

The body cannot produce iron, so eating iron-rich food is a necessity. OmniFer™ is a protein derived from porcine red cells that have a natural content of heme iron. It has a protein content of ≥ 92 % and comes as a dispersible spray-dried powder – easy to incorporate into various food and beverage formulations.

Many people are suffering from iron deficiency in certain stages of their life and often without knowing it. According to the WHO, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world and can develop into serious stages of anemia.

The people who need most iron are children, teenagers (especially girls), females with heavy periods, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

All types of athletes also have a great need for this mineral, as it plays a key role in energy metabolism and performance.

People who follow low or no meat diets are also more at risk of not having enough iron.

Symptoms of iron deficiency include:

Fatigue, listlessness, and weakness

Breathlessness

Poor memory and concentration

Susceptibility to infections

These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions.

Label as ‘source of iron’ (EU)

The concentration of heme iron in OmniFer™ is at a level that makes it easy to achieve a significant amount of iron in the final food product or beverage.

OmniFer™ contains 270 mg of heme iron per 100 grams of ingredient powder.

According to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, a significant amount refers to 15 % of the recommended daily iron intake (14 mg) in 100 grams of product (non-beverages) or per serving size. In beverages, a significant amount is defined as 7.5 % of the recommended daily iron intake corresponding to 1.05 mg of iron per 100 ml.

The regulation further states that a significant amount may be labeled as ‘source of iron.’ To learn more about how OmniFer™ can help you increase the nutritional value of your snacks, bars, beverages, or bakery goods and how they can be labeled as ‘source of iron’ please do not hesitate to contact our ingredient experts.

Higher bioavailability with heme iron

Iron in food comes in two forms: heme iron and non-heme iron. Non-heme iron is found in plant foods and in most iron-fortified food products.

Heme iron comes from myoglobin and hemoglobin and is readily available in meat and seafood.

OmniFer™ is a fine particle protein ingredient derived from porcine red cells. It is thus a natural source of heme iron that is known to have a higher bioavailability than that of non-heme iron.

Suggested applications

Confectionery and snacks

Nutrition bars

Bakery goods

Functional beverages

Sports and energy gels / supplements

Disclaimer: Iron can be harmful if the tolerable upper intake level is exceeded. Information provided here should not take the place of medical advice.

According to a study presented in the EFSA Journal in 2010 the bioavailability of heme iron is 2- to 7-fold higher than that of iron from non-heme sources. In addition, heme iron does not cause the digestive discomfort that sometimes is experienced with non-heme iron. essentiaproteins.com