Aluminium levels in Canadian infant formulate and estimation of aluminium intakes from formulae by infants 0-3 months old

Aluminium was determined in 282 cans of infant formulae and evaporated milks sold in Canada using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Milk-based formulae contained average (range) concentrations of 0.129 (0.010-0.36), 0.217 (0.17-0.56) and 0.717 (0.19-2.49) micrograms/g ('as sold') in ready-to-use, concentrated liquid and powder formulae, respectively. The corresponding concentrations in the soy-based formulae were 1.98 (0.40-6.4), 1.41 (0.59-2.29) and 9.44 (3.15-18.0) micrograms/g. Evaporated milk contained 0.093 (0.022-0.34) micrograms/g. The levels varied extensively according to formula brand; e.g. for ready-to-use formulae, the range of average concentrations by formula brand were 0.42-3.28 micrograms/g for soy-based and 0.020-0.22 micrograms/g for milk-based products. Estimated aluminium ingestion from formula or milk by infants up to 3 months old ranged from 0.5 microgram per kg body weight per day (microgram/kg/day) or 2 micrograms/day for 0-1 month olds fed cow milk exclusively to 219 micrograms/kg/day (1260 micrograms/day) for 1-3 month olds fed only soy-based formulae. Consumption of only the formulae brand having the highest mean aluminium level (3.28 micrograms/g) by 1-3 month old infants could result in an intake of 363 micrograms/kg/day (2088 micrograms/day). The estimates assume that the sole source of aluminium is the formula or milk and do not include any potential contribution from other foods or water.     

Dietary intakes of lead, cadmium, arsenic and fluoride by Canadian adults: a 24-hour duplicate diet study

Twenty-four hour duplicate diets, including drinking water and snacks, were collected from 24 adults living in five Canadian cities. Each diet was separated by the participants into 10 food categories, and each of the samples was analyzed in duplicate for lead, cadmium, arsenic and fluoride. Minimum detection limits for the respective elements in foods were about 0.1, 0.01, 0.3 and 5 ng/g. Mean dietary intakes were 53.8 micrograms/day or 0.80 micrograms/kg/day for lead, 13.8 micrograms/day or 0.21 micrograms/kg/day for cadmium, and 16.7 micrograms/day or 0.26 micrograms/kg/day for arsenic. The median intakes were 42.7 micrograms/day or 0.57 mu/kg/day for lead, 11.9 micrograms/day or 0.17 micrograms/kg/day for cadmium, and 9.79 micrograms/day or 0.139 micrograms/kg/day for arsenic. Half of the participants lived in communities with 1 microgram/g fluoride in the drinking water, and half lived in cities with less than 0.2 microgram/g fluoride in the water. The dietary intake of fluoride for the former was 2802 micrograms/day or 39.7 micrograms/kg/day; while that of the latter was 563 micrograms/day or 8.5 micrograms/kg/day. The respective median intakes of fluoride were 2090 micrograms/day or 30.3 micrograms/kg/day, and 414 micrograms/day or 7.0 micrograms/kg/day. Contribution of individual foods and food categories to the dietary intakes is discussed.     

Exposure of cadmium from infant formulas and weaning foods

Cadmium levels were determined in 59 baby food samples, including milk-based, cereal and milk-based and soy-based formulas, recommended from 0 to 18 months of age. Determinations were performed by Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry, after dry ashing, with parallel determinations of certified reference samples. Mean cadmium levels were found to range from 1.10 to 23.5 mu g / kg fresh weight concentrated formulas. L evels were related to the composition of the diets. Formulas based on cow's milk had the lowest concentrations. Soy formulas contained approximately six times more cadmium than cow's milk formulas, and diets with a cereal content had 4-21 times higher mean levels. The mean weekly intakes of dietary cadmium were estimated to vary between 0.10 and 3 : 05 mu g / kg body weight of the child, if the recommended amount of formula were to be consumed at the recommended age, and if the child were of average weight. This estimation however does not include the contribution of cadmium from drinking water. The highest intake on a body weight basis was found in 6-month-old children, consuming the recommended amount of wheat-, oat- and milk-based formulas. This intake is below the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTW I) of 7 mu g / kg body weight, established by a W HO/FAO expert group. However, the risk assessment is based on renal effects in adults. Furthermore, preparations of a formula by adding water with cadmium concentrations at the W HO guideline level could lead to intakes at the PTW I level. Compared to breast-fed children, the exposure of dietary cadmium from weaning diets can be up to 12 times higher in children fed infant formula.     

Cadmium and lead distribution in fresh asparagus

Cadmium and lead were determined in fresh asparagus, as a function of diameter and portions, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry to evaluate the contribution of these vegetables to the daily intake of cadmium and lead in Spain. Cadmium content of the asparagus ranged from less than 0.006 mg/kg to 0.062 mg/kg, whereas lead content varied from 0.059 to 0.409 mg/kg. The concentration of cadmium and lead was compared statistically for the different diameters and portions of asparagus. The asparagus tip/remainder ratio metal concentration was determined and a greater concentration of cadmium and lead in the tip relative to the remainder of the asparagus was observed. If we take into account the mean level of cadmium and lead (0.022 mg/kg and 0.165 mg/kg respectively), the daily intake contribution of these metals in Spain is 0.04 micrograms/day for cadmium and 0.3 microgram/day for lead.     

Selecting desirable micronutrient fortificants for plant‐based complementary foods for infants and young children in low‐income countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that both breast‐fed and non‐breast‐fed children are fed micronutrient fortified complementary foods designed to meet their high nutrient requirements from aged 6 to 23 months of age. This paper summarises the steps recommended by WHO/FAO to identify the country‐specific micronutrient shortfalls in complementary diets and establish desirable levels of bioavailable fortificants for centrally processed plant‐based complementary foods for infant and young child feeding. The goal of the WHO/FAO guidelines is to achieve a desirably low prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes in the target group whilst simultaneously ensuring minimal risk of excessive intakes. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dietary intakes of lead and other metals: a study of young children from an urban population in the UK

In a 7-day duplicate diet study of 97 pre-school age children from the Birmingham area, mean dietary lead intakes of 0.185 mg/week were found compared with values of 0.15 and 0.11 mg/week found from similar studies carried out previously elsewhere. Nine per cent of the children at Birmingham exceeded the current Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake for lead for the one week of study. None of these children however exceeded the DHSS advisory action level for lead in blood (25 micrograms/dl). Dietary intakes of other metals (cadmium, copper, iron, lead, nickel, tin and zinc) were generally similar to or less than those found from previous studies.     

Average total dietary intakes of organochlorine compounds from the Finnish diet

As a contribution to the FAO/WHO organochlorine monitoring programme, samples of milk, eggs, beef pork, chops, game, animal livers as well as fish-liver oils were analysed for PCB-, DDT- and toxaphene compounds, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), heptachlor and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH). From the annual consumption of the foodstuffs investigated average intakes of organochlorines were estimated and compared with the acceptable daily intakes (ADI) as set by FAO/WHO. Intakes from the sources studied were then compared with those from fish, butter and margarine. Total average dietary intakes were determined to be 14.4 micrograms/day for PCB, 2.9 for DDT, 2,3 for gamma-HCH, 1.7 for HCB, and 0.5 micrograms/day for heptachlor representing 0.08% of the ADI for DDT, 0.3% for HCH, 4.2% for HCB and 1.4% of the ADI for heptachlor.     

LEAD AND CADMIUM CONTENT IN FRESH AND CANNED ASPARAGUS1

Lead and cadmium were determined in fresh and canned asparagus, at each step of the canning process, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry to evaluate the contribution of these vegetables to the daily intake of cadmium and lead in Spain. Lead content of the asparagus ranged from less than 0.074 mg/kg to 0.292 mg/kg, whereas cadmium content varied from 0.014 to 0.033 mg/kg. The concentration of lead and cadmium was compared statistically at different stages of the process. The asparagus tip/remainder ratio metal concentration was determined, and we observed the greater concentration of lead and cadmium in the tip with respect to the remainder of asparagus. The asparagus was not a significant source of lead or cadmium. By taking into account the mean level of lead and cadmium (0.165 mg/kg and 0.021 mg/kg, respectively), the daily intake of these metals would be 0.3 μg/day for lead and 0.04 μg/day for cadmium.     

Cadmium content in infant formulas. Toxicological evaluation.

Cadmium content was investigated in infant formulas by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS). Formulas were distinguished as "beginner", "continuation" and "special infant formulas", the last ones were classified as subtypes "hypoallergenic", "without lactose", "vegetable base" and "others". The mean concentrations of cadmium were 1.97 +/- 0.84, 1.86 +/- 0.65 and 2.98 +/- 2.59 micrograms/kg for "beginner", "continuation" and "special infant formulas", respectively. Two-factor (types and subtypes) variance analyses were made and Turkey's mean homogeneity test (p < 0.05) was also carried out for the formation of homogeneous groups. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed between subtypes and 3 homogeneous groups were formed, one for "hypoallergenic" and "others", another group was constituted by "without lactose" and, finally another group, one with the highest cadmium content, was formed by subtype "vegetable". Their contribution to the provisional weekly intake (PWI) was calculated from the mean concentrations of each type and subtype of infant formulas, showing them to be food with a low toxicological risk.     

Perchlorate exposure and dose estimates in infants

Perchlorate is a naturally occurring inorganic anion used as a component of solid rocket fuel, explosives, and pyrotechnics. Sufficiently high perchlorate intakes can modify thyroid function by competitively inhibiting iodide uptake in adults; however, little is known about perchlorate exposure and health effects in infants. Food intake models predict that infants have higher perchlorate exposure doses than adults. For this reason, we measured perchlorate and related anions (nitrate, thiocyanate, and iodide) in 206 urine samples from 92 infants ages 1-377 days and calculated perchlorate intake dose for this sample of infants. The median estimated exposure dose for this sample of infants was 0.160 μg/kg/day. Of the 205 individual dose estimates, 9% exceeded the reference dose of 0.7 μg/kg/day; 6% of infants providing multiple samples had multiple perchlorate dose estimates above the reference dose. Estimated exposure dose differed by feeding method: breast-fed infants had a higher perchlorate exposure dose (geometric mean 0.220 μg/kg/day) than infants consuming cow milk-based formula (geometric mean 0.103 μg/kg/day, p < 0.0001) or soy-based formula (geometric mean 0.027 μg/kg/day, p < 0.0001), consistent with dose estimates based on dietary intake data. The ability of perchlorate to block adequate iodide uptake by the thyroid may have been reduced by the iodine-sufficient status of the infants studied (median urinary iodide 125 μg/L). Further research is needed to see whether these perchlorate intake doses lead to any health effects.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in cow's milk from a tropical region of Mexico

A monitoring study was conducted to assess the magnitude of DDT [(1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis( p -chlorophenyl)ethane)] and HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) contamination of bovine milk from the central tropical region of Mexico as the chemicals are extensively used in livestock and public-health programmes. Among pesticide residues analysed, the milk samples collected from Tlalixcoyan showed a mean level of γ-HCH (0.128 mg kg -1 ), which was significantly higher than residues in milk samples from Medellin (0.049 mg kg -1 ) and Paso San Juan (0.022 mg kg -1 ). The mean level of pp '-DDE in Medellin samples (0.039 mg kg -1 ) was significantly higher than in Paso San Juan (0.018 mg kg -1 ) and Tlalixcoyan (0.024 mg kg -1 ) milk samples. The pp '-DDT mean level from Medellin milk samples (0.089 mg kg -1 ) was significantly higher than the levels detected in the other two areas. The highest mean Σ-DDT level detected in Medellin samples (0.146 mg kg -1 ) was three times the FAO/WHO tolerance level. The highest acceptable daily intakes calculated for Σ-DDT were 0.017 μg kg -1 bw day -1 for adults and 0.530 μg kg -1 bw day -1 for infants; for γ-HCH residues, they were 0.021 μg kg -1 bw day -1 for adults and 0.666 μg kg -1 bw day -1 for infants, indicating that infants are more exposed to pesticide residues. Results indicate that cattle exposure to HCH and DDT results in high levels in dairy milk and a potential health risk for consumers.     

Consumption of bivalve molluscs in Italy: estimated intake of cadmium and lead.

Concentrations of cadmium and lead were determined in nine different species of mollusc bivalves (Modiolus barbatus, Venus verrucosa, Scapharca inaequivalvis, Tapes decussatus, Callista chione, Pecten jacobeus, Ensis siliqua, Venus gallina, Cardium tubercolata) collected from different coastal areas of the Adriatic Sea (north, middle and south Adriatic). The levels of cadmium and lead found in bivalves from the north Adriatic Sea were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than those detected in those from the middle and south Adriatic Sea. In some species of molluscan bivalves (M. barbatus and T. decussatus) from the north Adriatic Sea, concentrations of cadmium and lead exceeded the maximum limit (2 mg/kg w.w.) established by the Italian legislation. Weekly intakes were estimated and compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) recommended by the FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.     

Substantiation of daily permissible levels of cadmium intake with food

A chronic experiment was conducted in rats which were given cadmium in doses 100, 10 and 1 microgram/kg (as salt or in the metadolized form) with food, daily, during 6 months. Biochemical studies were based on the parameters characterizing the functions of the liver, kidneys, gastro-intestinal tract, pancreas, CNS, prostate (in males). Pathomorphological investigations were made at the end of the experiment. No significant differences were recorded in the action on the body of metabolized cadmium and cadmium salt. Cadmium in a dose of 100 micrograms/kg induced the development of anemia, renal insufficiency, suppression of the activity of digestive enzymes and dystrophic changes in the liver, kidneys and testes. Cadmium in a dose of 1 microgram/kg proved to be inactive, and it is recommended as a daily safe dose of cadmium intake with food.     

Mycotoxin detection in infant formula milks in Italy

After birth, infant formulas constitute an important or often sole food source for infants during the first months of life. In this study, a survey on the presence of aflatoxin M₁ (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in the 14 leading brands of infant formulas marketed in Italy was conducted. Mycotoxins were determined by immunoaffinity column clean-up and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. AFM1 was found in two of 185 samples, but at levels below the European legislation limit of 25 ng l^?1. OTA was detected in 133 (72%) samples (range = 35.1–689.5 ng l^?1). It has been observed that OTA contamination was 80% in the ready-to-use preparations and 63% in the powdered samples. The Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) reviewed the toxicology on OTA and concluded that it would be prudent to reduce exposure to OTA ensuring that exposure is towards the lower end of the range of tolerable daily intakes of 1.2–14 ng kg^?1 body weight day^?1. OTA was also evaluated by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 100 ng kg^?1 body weight was established. The OTA levels in pre-term ready-to-use infant formulas were sufficient to cause a higher OTA intake than the suggested TDI. The results point out the need to perform controls for prevention programmes especially when attempting to identify risk markers of the infant feed quality.     

Concentrations of bisphenol A in the composite food samples from the 2008 Canadian total diet study in Quebec City and dietary intake estimates

A total of 154 food composite samples from the 2008 total diet study in Quebec City were analysed for bisphenol A (BPA), and BPA was detected in less than half (36%, or 55 samples) of the samples tested. High concentrations of BPA were found mostly in the composite samples containing canned foods, with the highest BPA level being observed in canned fish (106 ng g(-1)), followed by canned corn (83.7 ng g(-1)), canned soups (22.2-44.4 ng g(-1)), canned baked beans (23.5 ng g(-1)), canned peas (16.8 ng g(-1)), canned evaporated milk (15.3 ng g(-1)), and canned luncheon meats (10.5 ng g(-1)). BPA levels in baby food composite samples were low, with 2.75 ng g(-1) in canned liquid infant formula, and 0.84-2.46 ng g(-1) in jarred baby foods. BPA was also detected in some foods that are not canned or in jars, such as yeast (8.52 ng g(-1)), baking powder (0.64 ng g(-1)), some cheeses (0.68-2.24 ng g(-1)), breads and some cereals (0.40-1.73 ng g(-1)), and fast foods (1.1-10.9 ng g(-1)). Dietary intakes of BPA were low for all age-sex groups, with 0.17-0.33 μg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for infants, 0.082-0.23 μg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for children aged from 1 to 19 years, and 0.052-0.081 μg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for adults, well below the established regulatory limits. BPA intakes from 19 of the 55 samples account for more than 95% of the total dietary intakes, and most of the 19 samples were either canned or in jars. Intakes of BPA from non-canned foods are low.     

Survey of total mercury in total diet food composites and an estimation of the dietary intake of mercury by adults and children from two Canadian cities, 1998-2000

Total mercury was measured in 259 total diet food composites from two Canadian cities. Levels were generally low, with 46% of the composites having concentrations below the limit of detection, which ranged from 0.026 to 0.506 ng g^-1. The fish category contained the highest mercury concentrations, which averaged 67 ng g^-1 and ranged from 24 to 148 ng g^-1. All composites were below the Canadian guideline for total mercury in fish of 0.5 ppm. Dietary intakes of mercury averaged 0.022 μg kg^-1 body weight/day (μg kg^-1 day^-1), and ranged from 0.012 μg kg^-1 day^-1 for females over 65 years old to 0.062 μg kg^-1 day^-1 for 0-1-month-old infants. For fish consumers, fish contributed to more than half of the ingested mercury. All intakes were well below Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes, expressed on a daily basis, of 0.71 μg kg^-1 day^-1 total mercury and 0.47 μg kg^-1 day^-1 methyl mercury, and also below a recent Health Canada recommended maximum methyl mercury intake of 0.2 μg kg^-1 day^-1 for children and women of child-bearing age.     

氢化物发生原子荧光法对贝类中无机砷监测及其安全性评价

通过氢化物发生原子荧光法检测浙江省舟山市主要菜场常见的4种贝类中无机砷的含量,并对其安全性进行评价。结果表明：4种贝类中可食部分的无机砷含量分别为花蛤0.138～0.191mg/kg、螠蛏0.112～0.171mg/kg、牡蛎0.067～0.163mg/kg、贻贝0.070～0.168mg/kg,无机砷含量皆符合国家食品卫生标准。食用量低于世界卫生/粮农组织食品添加剂联合专家委员会推荐的129μg的限量。     

Assessment of human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers in China via fish consumption and inhalation

This study examined human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) associated with fish consumption and inhalation in China. The median intake of sigma7 PBDEs via human milk was 48.2 ng/day for nursing infants (0-1 years old) (a range of 23.4-99.1 ng/day). For all other age groups, the median intake of sigma11 PBDEs via fish consumption was 1.7-12.9 ng/day with a range of 0.59-56.3 ng/g. Additionally, human exposure to PBDEs via inhalation was 2.7-9.2 ng/day (a range of 0.72-108 ng/day). The median total sigma11 PBDEs intakes for nursing infants (6874 and 7372 pg/ kg b.w./day for males and females, respectively) were much higher than other age groups (215-608 pg/kg b.w./ day). No significant difference in the total PBDEs intakes was found between males and females. Of the 11 PBDEs congeners, BDE-47 was predominant in the total intake for nursing infants with a mean contribution of 38%, whereas BDE-209 was the dominant congener of total intake for other age groups, varying from 44 to 61%. Currently, the PBDEs levels in Chinese consumer fish and the total intakes of PBDEs via fish consumption were at the lower end of the global range. Compared with similar studies in other countries, however, human exposure to PBDEs via inhalation in China was relatively high. Overall, estimated daily intake of total PBDEs in the Chinese population was far below the LOAEL. However, studies are needed to further understand the fate and impact of PBDEs as PBDE-containing products are still used widely in large quantities in China.     

Mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium in fish and shellfish from the Adriatic Sea

The aim was to measure concentrations of total mercury, total arsenic, lead and cadmium in common edible fresh fish and shellfish from various areas of the Adriatic Sea. Estimates of intake of these elements were made through seafood consumption by the general population. Samples were either wet digested for mercury and arsenic, or dry ashed for lead and cadmium analysis. Mercury was measured by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CV AAS) and arsenic, lead and cadmium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS). Quality control procedures of analytical methods, which included analyses of dogfish muscle-certified reference material DORM-2, confirmed the acceptability of methods. The highest mercury and arsenic concentrations were found in hake ( Merluccius merluccius ) and the lowest in mackerel ( Scomber scombrus ). The respective values in hake were 0.373 ±0.075 and 23.3 ±3.6, and in mackerel 0.153 ±0.028 and 1.06 ±0.29 mg kg -1 fresh weight (mean ±SD). Lead and cadmium concentrations were about 10 times higher in shellfish than in analysed fish. The highest lead and cadmium concentrations were found in mussel ( Mytilus galloprovincialis ) and the lowest in hake. Respective lead and cadmium values in mussel were 0.150 ±0.009 and 0.142 ±0.017, and in hake were 0.007 ±0.004 and 0.002 ±0.001 mg kg -1 fresh weight. The concentrations of analysed elements were below acceptable levels for human consumption set by the Croatian Ministry of Health, except for total arsenic. The estimated intake of those trace elements included in this study through seafood consumption by the general population did not exceed the provisional tolerable weekly intake recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.     

Cadmium, lead and mercury in human milk from Slovakia

The objective of this study was to investigate Cd, Pb, and Hg levels in the breast milk of 158 lactating healthy women who were not occupationally exposed and living in eight environmentally different polluted locations of the Slovak Republic. Levels of these metals were examined in relation to selected parameters, such as: location, mother's age, parity, number of mother's teeth fillings, newborn's gender and birth weight, and smoking habits in the family. Cd and Pb levels in human milk and reconstituted infant formula were determined by GFAAS. Hg levels were measured by amalgamation technique AAS. The average concentrations of Cd, Pb and Hg in breast milk samples, taken on the 4th postpartum day, were 0.43, 4.7 and 0.94 µg/kg, respectively, and those in infant formula (n = 10) were 0.40, 5.0 and 0.25 µg/kg, respectively. Dietary weekly intakes of Cd, Pb, and Hg from breast milk and infant formula in newborn babies were also estimated. Whereas the calculated average dietary intakes of Cd, Pb, and Hg in newborn babies from breast milk and infant formula were all far lower than the appropriate PTWI values recommended by WHO/FAO, two individual breast milk samples for Pb and one breast milk sample for Hg exceeded the PTWI values. Regarding the studied parameters, only the active/passive smoking of the mother at home significantly increased Pb levels in breast milk and amalgam teeth fillings increased Hg levels in breast milk.