Pesticide content of infant formulae and weaning foods available in New Zealand

A survey of the pesticide content of 25 commercially available infant formulae and 30 weaning foods available in New Zealand was undertaken in 1996. It included a representative mixture of imported and New Zealand manufactured infant foods. Three different pesticide screening techniques were used: a high-sensitivity organochlorine screen was carried out on all infant formulae, while a multiresidue screen (organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides, synthetic pyrethroids, carbamate pesticides, fungicides and herbicides), and a specific screen for dithiocarbamate fungicides were both carried out on all weaning foods and on soy-based infant formulae. All results are expressed on a ready-to-feed basis. Extremely low levels of residues of three organochlorine compounds (p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT and dieldrin) were detected in infant formulae samples. Residues of p,p'-DDE were found in seven of 20 milk-based infant formulae at concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 0.5 μg kg^-1. Residues of p,p'-DDT were found in one imported milk-based infant formula at 0.7 μg kg^-1, and dieldrin residues were detected in four of five soy-based infant formulae at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.08 μg kg^-1. The multiresidue pesticide screen detected low levels of residues of two organophosphorus pesticides; azinphos-methyl in one soy-based infant formula at a level of 22 μg kg^-1 and pirimiphos-methyl in two cereal-based weaning foods at concentrations of 5 and 14 μg kg^-1. None of the other approximately 140 pesticides (including fungicides and herbicides) included in the multiresidue screen were detected in any weaning foods or soy-based infant formulae, at a detection limit of 10 μg kg^-1. No residues of dithiocarbamate fungicides were detected in any product analysed, at a detection limit of 100 μg kg^-1.     

我国婴幼儿断奶食品的发展现状

介绍了我国婴幼儿断奶食品的发展现状和存在问题,并就今后的发展方向作了一定的探讨.     

Assessment of Slovak population exposure to cadmium from food

Exposure of the Slovak Republic population to cadmium from food and drinks was studied. Calculations were done by means of 1,66,312 food, plant and animal raw materials and drinks sampled within systematic inspection and monitoring of contaminants in 1990–2003. Exposure assessment of average inhabitants to cadmium from actual and model consumption patterns were calculated and compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value. Considering the model consumption, the exposure doses were assessed also for selected demographic groups. The assessed exposure of the population to cadmium has been persistently low with a moderately decreasing tendency especially for the past few years. The assessed real weekly exposure doses of cadmium from foodstuffs and beverages in the last 5 years while using the mean values and median values were 20–14.8% PTWI and 12.6–7.6% PTWI, respectively.     

Analysis of Norwegian milk and infant formulas for ochratoxin A

Samples of organic cow's milk, conventional cow's milk, and cow's milk-based infant formulas were analysed for the occurrence of ochratoxin A by means of an HPLC method. The detection limit was 10ng/l. Ochratoxin A was detected in 6 out of 40 conventional cow's milk samples (range 11-58ng/l) , and in 5 out of 47 organic milk samples (range 15-28ng/l) . No ochratoxin A was detected in any of the 20 infant formula samples. The ochratoxin A levels in cow's milk found in this investigation are sufficient to cause a higher intake of ochratoxin A than the suggested TDI of 5ng/kg bw/ day, e.g. in small children who consume large quantities of milk.     

Exposure of populations to dioxins and related compounds

The present situation with respect to the exposure of the general human population to PCDDs, PCDFs and (dioxin-like) PCBs and specific issues that should be taken into consideration for a risk assessment of these exposures have been summarized. The information is based on studies performed in The Netherlands and Germany in the last 10 years. Additional data have been collected through a literature search and through many contacts with researchers and national authorities. The most important route for human exposure to PCDDs, PCDFs and (dioxin-like) PCBs is food consumption contributing over 90% of total exposure, with products of animal origin and fish making the greatest contribution to this exposure. The dietary intake of PCDDs and PCDFs by the general population of industrialized countries is on average 1-3 picograms of (i)-TEQ per kilogram body weight per day. If the contribution of dioxin-like PCBs are also considered, the daily TEQ intake can be a factor of two to three higher. Special consumption habits and consumption of highly contaminated foodstuffs may lead to lower and higher TEQ intakes. In general, TEQ intake increases during childhood and stabilizes in adults of about 20 years of age. However, when normalized by body weight exposure is found to decrease with childhood age due to increasing body weight. Exposure has been shown to have fallen over time in all countries where data are available. Countries that started to implement measures to reduce dioxin emissions in the late 1980s, such as The Netherlands, United Kingdom and Germany, clearly show decreasing PCDD/PCDF and PCB levels in food and consequently a significantly lower dietary intake of these compounds by almost a factor of 2 within the past 7 years.     

Lead and cadmium concentrations in goat,cow, sheep,and buffalo milks from different regions of Iran

In total, 137 goat, cow, sheep, and buffalo milk samples were collected in different regions of Iran and analysed to determine concentrations of lead and cadmium by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric method. The mean recovery of the analytical method was 96.3% and 104% for cadmium and lead, respectively. The mean lead and cadmium contents obtained from 137 samples were 1.93 ± 1.48 (range: 0.18–6.11 ng/ml) and 9.51 ± 4.93 ng/ml (range: 1.84 ng/ml–30.50 ng/ml), respectively. Lead concentration in 8.1% of sheep and 1.9% of cow milk samples was higher than the newly established Codex standard. The mean concentrations of cadmium and lead in animals aged ?3 years (n = 80; 1.40 ± 1.05 ng/ml and 7.91 ± 3.60 ng/ml, respectively) were lower than in animals aged >3 years (n = 58; 2.69 ± 1.67 ng/ml and 11.8 ± 5.71 ng/ml, respectively).     

Relations between cadmium and magnesium and aronia fractional dietary fibre

The aim of this investigation was to analyse the composition of dietary fibre from aronia pomace preparations and to evaluate its influence on cadmium and magnesium binding. The authors wanted also to estimate to what extent additional enzymatic processing could affect the sorption capacity of the aronia fibre.     

Microdetermination of phosphorus from infant formulas, casein and casein phosphopeptides

A spectrophotometric method, which has been proposed for the determination of phosphorus in biological fluids based on the formation of a phosphomolybdate complex, is adapted and validated for the determination of phosphorus in milk-based infant formulas, casein, casein phosphopeptides (CPPs) and the soluble fractions resulting from their gastrointestinal digestion, as well as in the fractions resulting from the ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (IE-HPLC) of CE90CPP and in the soluble fraction of infant formula. The detection and quantification limits (1.1 and 3.6 mg P/100 g sample, respectively) are low enough for the purpose described. The linearity (from 0.1 to 8 g of phosphorus in the assay) is adequate. The precision of the method, expressed as relative standard deviation, is lower than 1%, and the accuracy checked by the analysis of SRM 1846: milk-based powdered infant formula is good. The quality of the method, together with the low cost and ease of use, makes it suitable for routine analysis.     

Aluminium content of Spanish infant formula

Levels of aluminium in 82 different infant formulae from nine different manufacturers in Spain were determined by acid-microwave digestion and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The influence of aluminium content in tap water in reconstituted powder formulae was examined and an estimate was made of the theoretical toxic aluminium intake in comparison with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). Possible interactions between aluminium and certain essential trace elements added to infant formulations have been studied according to the type or main protein-based infant formula. In general, the infant formulae contained a higher aluminium content than that found in human milk, especially in the case of soya, preterm or hydrolysed casein-based formulae. Standard formulae gave lower aluminium intakes amounting to about 4% PTWI. Specialized and preterm formulae resulted in a moderate intake (11-12 and 8-10% PTWI, respectively) and soya formulae contributed the highest intake (15% PTWI). Aluminium exposure from drinking water used for powder formula reconstitution was not considered a potential risk. In accordance with the present state of knowledge about aluminium toxicity, it seems prudent to call for continued efforts to standardize routine quality control and reduce aluminium levels in infant formula as well as to keep the aluminium concentration under 300 μg l^-1 for all infant formulae, most specifically those formulae for premature and low birth neonates.     

Effects of repeated exposure on acceptance of initially disliked vegetables in 7-month old infants

In the weeks following the start of weaning, 70 mothers were asked to identify a vegetable purée that their infant disliked and that they normally would not offer again. The 49 who did so were then asked to offer that vegetable on alternate days for 16 days, and to offer a well-liked one (carrot purée) on the other days. Amount eaten and acceptance were measured at each meal. On the first day of exposure, mean intake of the initially disliked vegetable was 39 ± 29 g and of the liked one, 164 ± 73 g (mean ± SD). Over the following days, intake of the initially disliked vegetable increased rapidly and by the eighth exposure was 174 ± 54 g, similar to that of the liked vegetable (186 ± 68 g). A similar pattern of results was found for mother-reported liking ratings. These effects of repeated exposure appear to be long lasting because nine months later, 63% of the infants were still eating and liking the initially disliked vegetable. The present study shows that when a vegetable is initially disliked it is worth persisting in feeding it for at least eight subsequent meals.     

Mycotoxins in infant cereal foods from the Canadian retail market

Three hundred and sixty-three samples of cereal-based infant foods were collected from the Canadian retail marketplace over 3 years. The samples included oat-, barley-, soy-, and rice-based infant cereals, mixed-grain infant cereals, teething biscuits, creamed corn, and soy-based formulas. Samples were analysed for targeted mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, HT-2 toxin, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, fumonisins B₁ and B₂, and five ergot alkaloids). Soy-based cereals (which usually contain corn) exhibited the highest incidences of deoxynivalenol (100%), zearalenone (46%) and fumonisins (75%). Overall, deoxynivalenol was the most frequently detected mycotoxin -- it was detected in 63% of samples analysed. Survey results demonstrated the regular occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in cereal-based infant foods.     

Exposure to cadmium from foods, estimated by analysis and calculation--comparison of the methods

Cadmium intake of 40 middle-aged Finnish men was determined both by calculation based on computer files and by analysis of duplicate portions. A significant difference was observed between intake estimates of the two methods. The average calculated cadmium intake was 15.8 micrograms/day compared to the 8.2 micrograms/day obtained by analysis. Factors causing the difference between the methods and affecting the comparability are: (i) expression of concentrations below the detection limit; (ii) the calculation is based on the analysis of foods being only washed and peeled whereas duplicate portions are normally processed; (iii) when duplicate portions are prepared using non-representative lots or brands of food, their cadmium content differs from average values used in calculation; (iv) the level of cadmium content in duplicate portion samples is very low affecting the accuracy of the results. The analytical level of cadmium during the analysis of duplicate portions was somewhat lower as compared to the analysis on which the food composition file and the calculation is based. It seems that the complicating factors identified in the present study potentially affect the reliability and comparability of studies of trace element intakes. Therefore one has to be careful when comparing intake estimates derived independently or by different methods.     

Dietary intake exposure to sulphites in Italy - analytical determination of sulphite-containing foods and their combination into standard meals for adults and children

The theoretical risk of exceeding the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for sulphites has mostly been examined on the basis of a worst-case scenario. In order to examine the real situation the determination of residue sulphite levels in ready-to-consume foods is required. The aim of this paper is to assess the actual sulphite content of diets obtained from a combination of realistic meals high in sulphite-containing foods. Food products available in Italy containing added sulphites were identified. Overall, 211 samples of foods and beverages (including 85 samples of wine) were collected. The determination of sulphite residues was carried out on the foods which were prepared according to normal domestic practice. It was shown that the diets obtained from these foods would lead to an intake of 23mg/day in children and 50mg/day in adults (both slightly above the ADI for respectively a 30kg child and a 60kg adult). Among all sulphite-containing foods, the highest contributors to the intake were dried fruit and wine, both ingested without further treatment. The analysis of specific consumption data confirmed the existence of a risk of exceeding the ADI related to sulphite residue levels in wine.     

Fe, Cu and Zn distribution in different components of commercial infant formulas

Fe, Cu and Zn determination by AAS was performed in 35 infant formula samples from different manufacturers. The trace element content was studied in whole, fat and whey milk, and different chemometric tools have been used in order to observe differences or correlations between infant formulas fortified with inorganic salts (iron, copper and zinc sulphates) or with organic and inorganic salts (iron and copper gluconates, or zinc and iron lactates and zinc oxides). Principal-components analysis (PCA) achieved a reduction from nine variables to three (accounting for 80.8% of the total variability), and some differences between infant formula from the two groups were observed.Cluster analysis gave similar results as PCA. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) allowed the classification of infant formulas in two categories or classes: the first class formed by samples fortified with inorganic salts (category A) and the second one by samples fortified with organic and inorganic salts (category B). The percentages of samples correctly classified were 96.1 and 100.0 for the categories A and B, respectively. After the application of the soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) approach, percentages of cases correctly assigned of 87.5 and 12.5 were achieved for the categories A and B, respectively. However, it must be said that the application of SIMCA led to bad results because of the small number of sample used, mainly in category B.     

Dialysability of trace elements in infant foods containing liver

Response surface methodology, based on a Box–Behnken experimental design, was used to study the effect of liver and other ingredients (carrot, rice, pea and potato), on the dialysability of copper, zinc and iron in both chicken with rice (CR) and veal with carrot (VC) beikosts.     

Concentrations of cadmium and lead in different types of milk

 Concentrations of Pb and Cd were determined in samples of human, raw and pasteurized cow's and goat's milk and powdered infant formula. The following mean Cd concentrations (and ranges) were recorded: in human milk, 2.70 μg/l (0.6–11.3, n=55); in raw cow's milk, 4.88 μg/l (0.7–23.1, n=47); in pasteurized cow's milk, 4.30 μg/l (3.4–5.9, n=6); in goat's milk, 7.81 μg/l (1.0–18.4, n=38); and in powdered, infant formula, 3.81 μg/l (3.4–4.1, n=5). The concentrations (and ranges) of Pb were: in human milk, 8.34 μg/l (0.1–32.3, n=55); in raw cow's milk, 14.82 μg/l (1.3–39.1, n=28); in pasteurized cow's milk, 10.25 μg/l (6.9–19.6, n=6); in goat's milk, 11.86 μg/l (0.4–38.5, n=36); and in powdered, infant formula, 8.30 μg/l (5.1–10.6, n=5). Our data were within the normal ranges for each kind of milk. The Cd and Pb concentrations in goat's milk were significantly higher than the concentrations observed in the other milks, whereas human milk and powdered infant formula presented the lowest Cd and Pb concentrations. A considerable decrease in the concentration of Cd with the stage of lactation was observed. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in human, cow's and goat's milk also varied according to the time of year. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in the different milks did not present any risk to human health (infants or adults). Received: 26 May 1998     

Determination of lead and cadmium in food samples by the coprecipitation method

In this study, the coprecipitation method developed using a combination of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) as a chelating reagent and copper as coprecipitate carrier was used for the determination of trace lead and cadmium in various food samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The method was applied for the determination of Pb(II) and Cd(II) in salami, sausage, chicken, anchovy, spinach, cabbage, onion, dill, parsley, lettuce, tea and rice samples. The matrix modifiers were added as 50 μg NH₄H₂PO₄ + 3 μg Mg(NO₃)₂ for both Pb(II) and Cd(II). The signals were measured as peak area. The concentrations of Pb(II) and Cd(II) in the food samples were found to be in the range of 6.63 ng g⁻¹ (anchovy) −3.30 μg g⁻¹ (spinach) and 2.67 ng g⁻¹ (salami) −0.51 μg g⁻¹ (lettuce), respectively.     

Preliminary evaluation of fumonisins by the Nordic countries and occurrence of fumonisins (FB1 and FB2) in corn-based foods on the Danish market

Experts from the Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland) have carried out an evaluation of fumonisins. The working group members concluded that, at that time point, it was not possible to carry out a complete risk assessment. However, it was recommended that the human daily' intake of fumonisins should be less than 1 microg/kg bw/day. Subsequently, the presence of the Fusarium mycotoxins fumonisin B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2) in corn-based food on the Danish retail market has been determined. A total of 70 samples were analysed and 37% contained FB1 and 21% contained FB2. No fumonisins were found in sweet corn (canned or frozen), corn-on-the-cob, corn starch or gruel powder for babies. FB1 was found in about half of the corn flakes, corn snack and popcorn (not popped) samples, whereas FB2 was seen to a lesser extent. Both FB1 and FB2 were found in 75% or more of the corn flour, tacos and polenta samples. In general, the content of FB1 was in the range of 1-1000 micro/kg and the content of FB2 was in the range of 4-250 microg/kg. Corn-based foods are consumed in rather low amounts and irregularly among the Danish population and therefore it is not meaningful to calculate an average daily funonisin intake. An estimate for an 'eater' shows that the intake of fumonisins will not exceed 0.4 microg/kg bw/day.     

Monitoring the content and intake of trace elements from food in Denmark

The content of cadmium, lead, nickel, mercury and selenium in 83 foods was monitored from 1993 to 1997. In comparison with similar results from 1988 to 1992, a general decrease in lead levels had occurred, whereas the contents of cadmium, nickel, mercury and selenium were stable or declined only slightly. The distribution in dietary intake of the five trace elements was estimated by combining the mean trace element concentrations with food consumption data from 1837 Danes aged 15-80 years. The lead intake for 1993-97 showed a decrease in comparison with similar estimates from the previous monitoring cycles: 1983-87 and 1988-92. The intake of cadmium and mercury decreased to a lesser extent, whereas the intake of selenium and nickel remained unchanged in the same period. The dietary intake of trace elements was compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The 95th percentile of the distribution in cadmium intake amounts to 34% of PTWI, which is relatively high, and therefore calls for a more detailed future risk assessment. The intakes of lead and mercury were 11% of PTWI and, like the intake of nickel, did not cause any health concern in the adult population. The Danes ingest close to 100% of the Nordic Nutrition Recommendation for selenium at 50 μg day -1 , and no individuals had an intake less than the lower limit of 20 μg day -1 .     

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.