Fluoride content of Ready‐to‐Feed (RTF) infant food and drinks in the UK

Abstract

The level of Fluoride exposure needed to cause dental fluorosis is not known precisely. An awareness of total F intake from all sources, especially during the critical stages of dental development during infancy and early childhood, is important in preventing the development of dental fluorosis. The aim of the study was to measure F content of ready-to-feed (RTF) infant drinks and foods in the UK. In total, 122 infant foods were analysed for F concentrations, in triplicate, indirectly by an acid diffusion method and 25 infant drinks analysed directly using an F-ion-selective electrode after addition of TISABIII. The median (range) F concentration was 0.110 (0.030-0.221) μg/g for breakfast cereals, 0.112 (0.040-1.200) μg/g for savoury meals, 0.056 (0.030-0.379) μg/g for desserts, 0.044 (0.020-0.191) μg/g for fruits, 0.196 (0.040-0.397) μg/g for baked goods, 0.069 (0.050-0.148) μg/ml for juices, 0.016 (0.009-0.030) μg/ml for milks and 0.041 (0.022-0.069) μg/ml for waters. The median (range) F concentration of all RTF infant foods and drinks by recommended age of consumption was 0.029 (0.010-0.245), 0.088 (0.020-0.500), 0.108 (0.100-0.510) and 0.108 (0.060-1.200) μg/g for infants from birth, 4+ month, 6+ month and 10+ month, respectively. The results suggest that the F concentrations of UK-marketed RTF infant foods, drinks and formula milk are not sufficiently high to be a risk factor for dental fluorosis, if consumption is within the limits recommended for infants and young children.