Boosting nutritional value: the role of iron fortification in meat and meat products

Iron deficiency is a widespread nutritional problem affecting millions of people globally, leading to various health issues including anemia. Iron fortification of meat and meat products has emerged as an effective strategy to combat this issue. This review explores the process and benefits of iron fortification, focusing on the types of iron compounds suitable for fortification, such as ferrous sulfate and ferric pyrophosphate, their bioavailability, and their impact on the sensory and nutritional qualities of meat products. Technological challenges and solutions, including encapsulation, chelation, and microencapsulation techniques, have been examined to minimize their negative impacts on sensory qualities. This review also discusses the regulatory framework governing iron fortification and consumer acceptance. Analytical methods for determining iron content, such as spectrophotometric and colorimetric detection, are discussed. Although iron-fortified meat products offer health benefits, sensory aspects and consumer acceptance are important considerations. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the role and significance of iron fortification in meat products as a public health intervention to address iron deficiency.