Sodium selenite
Sodium selenite is an inorganic selenium salt, the sodium salt of selenous acid, made by reacting selenium dioxide with sodium hydroxide or carbonate and crystallizing the product. Anhydrous material is roughly 45% selenium and is highly toxic in concentrated form, so food and supplement makers almost always buy it as a dilute trituration or premix in which selenium is a small fraction of a percent. It is used in mineral premixes, infant and medical nutrition, and supplements.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Sodium selenite diluted to a stated selenium level on a carrier such as dicalcium phosphate, maltodextrin or microcrystalline cellulose; the usual form for product makers.
Concentrated material for premix manufacturers with the controls to handle a toxic substance.
Custom blends containing sodium selenite with other trace minerals, specified by selenium per gram.
A related acidic salt offered by some suppliers; it is a different substance and should be specified by name.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Store sodium selenite and its triturations in tightly closed, labeled containers in a cool, dry, secured area, apart from food ingredients that are dosed in grams, and follow the supplier's safety data sheet for handling. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with selenium content retested on aged stock.
Record the selenium assay and dilution strength for each lot and double-check dosing calculations, since a mix-up between a concentrated and diluted grade can cause a large overdose. Keep pure and diluted grades on separate item codes.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph for natural health products lists sodium selenite among the source ingredients for selenium (Table 2).
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv) sets the Reference Daily Intake for selenium at 55 mcg for adults and children 4 years and older.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Bengaluru, India
Indian maker of pharmaceutical ingredients and mineral salts, with plants in Hosur. Its mineral range covers calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and selenium salts and amino acid chelates.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include triturations, pure anhydrous or pentahydrate, mineral premixes and sodium hydrogen selenite. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect selenium assay, identity and speciation, content uniformity, loss on drying and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Store sodium selenite and its triturations in tightly closed, labeled containers in a cool, dry, secured area, apart from food ingredients that are dosed in grams, and follow the supplier's safety data sheet for handling. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with selenium content retested on aged stock.
Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph for natural health products lists sodium selenite among the source ingredients for selenium (Table 2). 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv) sets the Reference Daily Intake for selenium at 55 mcg for adults and children 4 years and older.
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