Most expectant parents learn early on that children need a lot of iron. But what do we do when the iron sources recommended for children often contain ultra-processed ingredients or other unwanted components such as additives, gluten, and sugar? Are these really the sources of iron we are expected to rely on every single day?
A cleaner approach?
Many parents want to give their children a clean and nourishing diet, but this quickly becomes a challenge when iron-rich foods such as blood pudding or liver pâté often contain additives added for taste, shelf life, or texture. At the same time, options that are considered “clean” are often low in bioavailable iron or consist of ultra-processed products fortified with synthetic vitamins and minerals. Does it have to be this way?
The challenge
It also quickly becomes difficult to meet a child’s iron needs through vegetables and grains alone, as the absorption of non-heme iron is significantly lower than that of heme iron from animal sources. In addition, some plant-based iron sources contain high levels of phytic acid, such as pumpkin seeds and hemp powder. Phytic acid inhibits not only iron absorption, but also the uptake of other important nutrients such as zinc and calcium, which are essential building blocks for growing children.
The idea
This very challenge is what inspired us to develop a clean and flexible alternative based on natural heme iron: our heme iron powder for children, Mini Ferrum. Together with a Swedish iron researcher, we have developed a product that makes it easier to give children the iron they need, without unnecessary additives or compromises on quality. A safe and simple way to enrich children’s meals, because every child deserves a reliable source of iron.
