Abstract
Baby food is one of the most sensitive foods available, which is closely monitored for carcinogens. In this study, 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds were evaluated by using the method of magnetic-solid-phase-extraction and gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry (MSPE/GC-MS). The recovery, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) of PAH compounds were 93.4–101.6%, 0.06–1.12, and 0.18–3.38 μg/kg, respectively. The results indicated the mean of total PAHs in all samples was 3.73 ± 0.8 μg/kg, and the mean of Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was 0.29 ± 0.14 μg/kg that were lower than the USA-Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standard level (1 μg/kg, BaP in baby foods). In addition, our results showed that mixed five cereal-based baby food had a maximum mean of ΣPAHs (5.06 ± 0.68 μg/kg) and mixed wheat and date-based baby food had a minimum mean of ΣPAHs (3.03 ± 0.41 μg/kg). The carcinogenic risk due to PAH in the tested baby foods sold in Iran was adequately low, and all examined products were safe for consumers. Therefore, it can be said that the consumption of baby foods does not pose a threat to consumers.
Highlights
Today, numerous carcinogenic and dangerous compounds are identified in the environment and food, one of them is Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) compound, which may be detected in food, water, and air
The present study for the first time compared the levels of PAHs (16 compounds) in baby food samples collected in the Iranian market
BaP was lower than the European Union (EU) standard limit (1 μg/kg)
Summary
Numerous carcinogenic and dangerous compounds are identified in the environment and food, one of them is Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) compound, which may be detected in food, water, and air. High PAH levels in unprocessed foods in most areas may be due to volcanoes, forest fires, the oil industry and other industries, trucks, and so on. PAHs in Baby Food Samples reported between PAH exposure and the incidence of complications, such as gastric cancer, lung problems, and cytogenetic and biochemical changes [1–4]. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is categorized as category 2A (possibly carcinogenic) to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The European Union (EU) has set a limit of
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