Determination of 40 Elements in Powdered Infant Formulas and Related Risk Assessment.

Maria Luisa Astolfi,Matteo Vitali,Elisabetta Marconi,Pasquale Avino,Carmela Protano,Arianna Antonucci,Daniela Marotta,Silvia Canepari,Vittoria Cammalleri

doi:10.3390/ijerph18105073

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze all powdered infant formulas authorized and commercialized in Italy at the time of the study to measure the concentrations of 40 elements, and to estimate the infants’ intake of some toxic heavy metals for assessing possible related health risks. For this purpose, an optimized multi-element method was used through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Be, B, Al, Zr, Nb, Sb, Te, W, V, Cr and As concentrations were <LOD in more than 30% of samples. The levels of the other elements resulted to be very variable (more than 2000 µg g−1 for Ca and K or less than 1 ng g−1 for others). The results were similar to those reported by other European Union (EU) studies, but different from those recovered outside the EU. These differences should be eliminated to guarantee the right to health worldwide. The concentrations of Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the infant formulas studied were always below the considered limits. However, it is important to check for potentially toxic elements in infant formulas to protect the health of this sensitive population. The data found in this study could be used as benchmark data for future research.

Highlights

Food safety is an issue of great interest for public health, as demonstrated by the robust regulation, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and many scientific research types in the field [1,2,3]
As regards to Mn, we considered the current European Union (EU) and French regulatory minima and maxima values for infant and follow-on formulas, that stipulated a minimum content of 1 μg of Mn/100 kcal and a maximum content of 100 μg of Mn/100 kcal [38,39]
As regards to Mn, we found mean concentrations always lower than the maximum level prescribed by EU and French regulations for infant formulas

Summary

Introduction

Food safety is an issue of great interest for public health, as demonstrated by the robust regulation, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and many scientific research types in the field [1,2,3]. Due to the complexity of the topic, food safety is still the subject of toxicological and health threat evaluations, both for microbiological and chemical risks. Scientific institutions and associations that deal with children’s health emphasize the importance of breastfeeding as long as possible [5,6,7]. WHO strongly recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life to ensure optimal growth, development, and health [8]. When breastfeeding is not possible, infant formulas are the essential alternative to support the newborn growth [8]

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Conclusion