E585: Ferrous Lactate
Main role: color retention
Also listed as: iron(II) lactate
What is E585 (Ferrous Lactate)?
Ferrous lactate is an iron salt of lactic acid used for specific technical functions, including color retention in treated olives. Its additive role depends on the permitted food category.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is color retention. Acidity regulators adjust or buffer pH. The resulting acidity depends on the whole recipe, not just the presence of one acid or salt. Acidity control may also affect texture and the performance of other ingredients.
Food and formulation examples
- Blackened olives
- Specified olive preparations
These examples describe formulation roles, not a list of unrestricted legal uses. Availability and permitted applications differ by country and food category.
Label names and ingredient questions
Look for E585, E 585, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include iron(II) lactate. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
Lactate is a salt of lactic acid rather than lactose. The name alone does not show that an olive product contains milk ingredients.
Is E585 safe?
There is no meaningful personal risk estimate from an E number alone. Food-grade specifications, allowed uses, amount consumed, and individual circumstances all matter. The authorization record below gives the legal scope; it is not a claim that every possible use is appropriate.
A label identifies the ingredient but usually not its concentration. Calculating daily intake requires the amount in the food and the quantities eaten.
Authorization and conditions of use
The Great Britain food additive register lists E585 as Ferrous lactate. This is an entry subject to its stated conditions, not unrestricted permission for every food. The record links to the applicable authorization terms. For an EU product, use the European Commission food additive database to check the relevant food category and limits. Other countries may use different names or rules.