# Zinc Methionine Sulfate

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 56329-42-1
**Category:** nutrient
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-04

## Summary

Zinc methionine sulfate is an organic zinc compound that functions as a nutritional supplement in food and animal feed products. It provides bioavailable zinc, an essential mineral required for immune function, protein synthesis, and cellular metabolism.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | approved |
| Canada | approved |
| Australia | approved |
| Japan | approved |
| South Korea | approved |
| Brazil | approved |
| China | approved |
| India | approved |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Zinc Methionine Sulfate?

Zinc methionine sulfate (CAS Number: 56329-42-1) is an organic chelate compound combining zinc with the amino acid methionine and sulfate. This formulation is designed to enhance the bioavailability and absorption of zinc compared to inorganic zinc salts. The chelation of zinc to methionine creates a molecular complex that may be more readily absorbed by the digestive system.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in numerous physiological processes, including enzyme function, immune response, wound healing, protein synthesis, and DNA replication. Zinc methionine sulfate delivers this critical nutrient in a form intended to optimize nutritional bioavailability.

## Common Uses

Zinc methionine sulfate is primarily used as a nutrient supplement in animal feed formulations, particularly in poultry, swine, and cattle production. It may also appear in some human nutritional supplements and fortified food products, though its use in direct human food applications is less common than in animal agriculture.

The compound is selected by feed manufacturers because of its reported superior absorption characteristics compared to other zinc sources such as zinc oxide or zinc sulfate. In animal nutrition, adequate zinc supplementation supports growth, immune function, and overall health outcomes.

## Safety Assessment

Zinc methionine sulfate has not been granted GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status by the FDA. However, this designation does not indicate a safety concern; rather, it reflects that formal GRAS notification has not been submitted or completed for this specific compound.

The FDA maintains no recorded adverse events associated with zinc methionine sulfate consumption, and no product recalls involving this additive have been documented in the FDA database. These absence of reports suggest that the compound has not raised safety red flags in regulatory monitoring.

From a toxicological perspective, zinc is an essential nutrient with well-established safe intake levels. The National Institutes of Health establishes recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for zinc at 8-11 mg daily for adults, depending on age and sex. Upper tolerable intake levels are set at 40 mg daily for adults. Zinc toxicity from supplementation is possible at very high doses, but typical dietary exposure presents minimal risk.

The methionine component is a naturally occurring amino acid present in protein-containing foods, and sulfate is a common mineral form. The combination in this chelate form has not demonstrated toxicological concerns in available literature.

## Regulatory Status

Zinc methionine sulfate is not specifically listed on the FDA's GRAS inventory for direct human food use. However, it may be used in animal feed under FDA regulations as a nutritional supplement, as zinc compounds are generally permitted feed additives when used according to established safety parameters.

Regulatory frameworks for feed additives differ from those for direct food additives, and the compound's use in animal agriculture does not require the same formal approval pathway as human food fortification.

International regulatory approaches may vary. Some countries recognize chelated minerals in feed formulations under their respective nutrient supplement regulations.

## Key Studies

Limited peer-reviewed literature specifically addresses zinc methionine sulfate bioavailability compared to other zinc sources. Research on amino acid-chelated minerals generally suggests improved absorption in animal models, though human clinical trial data specific to this compound is sparse.

Broader literature on zinc bioavailability, absorption mechanisms, and nutritional requirements supports the rationale for chelated zinc formulations, indicating that organic forms may be preferentially absorbed through amino acid transporters in the intestinal epithelium.

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Zinc Methionine Sulfate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/zinc-methionine-sulfate. Accessed 2026-05-20.