A non-toxic artificial mineral water composition containing bioavailable iron consists of an aqueous solution containing ferrous ions at a concentration of from 100 to 300 mg/litre and a non-toxic amount of at least one metal cation selected from Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+ and K+. The aqueous solution has a pH of from 1 to 5. The composition, when diluted to an iron concentration of 20 µM, has an iron uptake, measured as intracellular ferritin, of greater than 120 ng/mg protein. The mineral water may contain potassium sorbate at a concentration of 1000 to 1500 mg/l and may be flavoured with apple juice, citrus juice and vitamin C. The mineral water composition provides oral, bioavailable iron that has use as a supplement to dietary iron.
