1 University of Washington Seattle, Washington 98195
Pediatricians and nutritionists appreciate Dr. Stewart's documentation of the changes in the form of iron that are now being used in supplementing infant cereal. It is important to recognize, however, that no human studies have been carried out to quantitate the iron availability of the electrolytic iron that is currently being used in supplementing infant cereal. Its bioavailability, which could be readily measured using isotopic methods, is unknown, and we would strongly urge if the material continues to be added to infant cereal its bioavailability be documented.