Several studies have highlighted the importance of dietary com-position in recovering and/or maintaining iron nutritional status[4–6]. Hence, it is important to assess the total and bioavailableiron content of foods usually consumed by the population, becauseiron bioavailability depends on food composition and interactionswith other dietary components.In this context, the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a widelyconsumed food in Brazil, is considered one of the best vegetablesources of iron and a good source of protein. Brazil is the most