Minerals

Many labels group the added minerals in brackets after the word “Minerals”. Each name inside is one source of one mineral, such as zinc sulfate for zinc or sodium selenite for selenium.

Minerals have to be in balance with each other, not just present: too much of one can get in the way of another. Nutrient profiles such as AAFCO’s and FEDIAF’s set minimums, and for some minerals maximums, to keep them in range. Some labels use “chelated” or “proteinate” forms, in which the mineral is bound to amino acids. AAFCO says these are thought to work better than inorganic compounds.