Brands Of Infant Formula Research Articles

Selection of possible signature peptides for the detection of bovine lactoferrin in infant formulas by LC-MS/MS.

An LC-MS/MS assay based on a signature peptide was developed and fully validated for the quantitation of bovine lactoferrin in infant formulas. Three unreported signature peptides were derived and identified from the tryptic peptides of bovine lactoferrin. The peptide ETTVFENLPEK was used for quantification based on assay performance. The blank matrix camel milk powder and bovine lactoferrin protein standards were mixed and spiked with stable isotope-labeled internal standard to establish a calibration curve. The established method was extensively validated by determining the linearity (R2 > 0.999), sensitivity (limit of quantitation, 0.16 mg/100 g), recovery (83.1–91.6%), precision (RSD < 5.4%) and repeatability (RSD < 7.7%). To validate the applicability of the method, four different brands of infant formulas in China were analysed. The acquired contents of bovine lactoferrin were 52.60–150.56 mg/100 g.

Investigating the biocontrol and anti-biofilm potential of a three phage cocktail against Cronobacter sakazakii in different brands of infant formula

In recent years, the microbiological safety of powdered infant formula has gained increasing attention due to the identification of contaminating C. sakazakii and its epidemiological link with life-threatening neonatal infections. Current intervention strategies have fallen short of ensuring the production of infant formula that is free from C. sakazakii. In this study, we describe the isolation and characterisation of three bacteriophages (phages) and their application as a phage cocktail to inhibit the growth of C. sakazakii in different brands of infant formula, while also assessing the phages ability to prevent biofilm formation. All three phages, isolated from slurry, possess a relatively broad host range, verified by their ability to infect across genera and species. When all three phages were combined and used as part of a phage cocktail, 73% coverage was obtained across all Cronobacter strains tested. Optimum thermo-tolerance and pH stability were determined between 4°C–37°C, and pH6–8, respectively, well within the normal range of application of infant formula. Genome sequencing and analysis revealed all the phages to be free from lysogenic properties, a trait which renders each favourable for phage therapy applications. As such, the combined-phage preparation (3×108pfu/mL) was found to possess a strong bactericidal effect on C. sakazakii/C. sakazakii LUX cells (≤104cfu/mL), resulting in a significant reduction in cell numbers, to below the limit of detection (<10cfu/mL). This was observed following a 20h challenge in different brands of infant formula, where samples in the absence of the phage cocktail reached concentrations of ~109cfu/mL. The phage cocktail also demonstrated promise in preventing the establishment of biofilm, as biofilm formation could not be detected for up to 48h post treatment. These results highlight the potential application of this phage preparation for biocontrol of C. sakazakii contamination in reconstituted infant formula and also as a preventative agent against biofilm formation.

Comparison of the Nutritional Values of Infant Formulas Available in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction. Optimum growth and development are best achieved by breastfeeding, which is the safest source for infant feeding. Mothers in Saudi Arabia start to breastfeed their infants but soon introduce formula brands. Objective. To assess the safety and nutritional adequacy of the oldest formula brands available in the Saudi market. Methods. An observational study has compared between 5 types of infant formula brands; they were chosen based on their international popularity. Also, they are considered as the oldest formula brands available in the Saudi market. The contents of all the included formulas were carefully collected from their containers. The collected data were compared with the global standard requirements for infant formulas according to the guidelines. Results. All the infant formula brands had their contents within the optimal range as stated by the ESPGHAN (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) guidelines. Some formulas did not provide elements like fluoride and nucleotides. Moreover, the mandatory elements and the most dominant ingredient in each formula were documented. Discussion. According to the results of our study, all included formula brands are considered safe and nutritionally adequate. By assuming that the elements that were not found in some brands meant an abnormal value, Bebelac and Liptomil are the most suitable infant formulas available in the Saudi market. Conclusions. Adequate nutrition during infancy is essential in each health organization. The nutritional status of infants should be studied to achieve lifelong health and well-being. All formula brands in this study were found to be safe and nutritionally adequate.

Multilocus sequence type profiles of Bacillus cereus isolates from infant formula in China

Bacillus cereus sensu stricto is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen. The multilocus sequence type (MLST) of 74 B. cereus isolated from 513 non-random infant formula in China was analyzed. Of 64 sequence types (STs) detected, 50 STs and 6 alleles were newly found in PubMLST database. All isolates except for one singleton (ST-1049), were classified into 7 clonal complexes (CC) by BURST (n-4), in which CC1 with core ancestral clone ST-26 was the largest group including 86% isolates, and CC2, 3, 9, 10 and 13 were first reported in China. MLST profiles of the isolates from 8 infant formula brands were compared. It was found the brands might be potentially tracked by the variety of STs, such as ST-1049 of singleton and ST-1062 of isolate from goat milk source, though they could not be easily tracked just by clonal complex types of the isolates.

Hexose-derived glycation sites in processed bovine milk

Milk products are consumed by many people on a daily basis, which demands sophisticated technical processes to guarantee the microbiological safety and to retain the nutritional value. The heating during pasteurization and ultra high temperature (UHT) treatment triggers diverse chemical reactions, such as the reaction of sugars and amino groups of proteins typically termed protein glycation. The glycation by lactose as dominant sugar in milk has been recently investigated, whereas the contribution of hexoses remains open. We identified first hexose-derived glycation sites in raw milk, colostrum, three brands of pasteurized milk, three brands of UHT milk, five brands of infant formula, and one brand of lactose-free pasteurized and UHT milk using tandem mass spectrometry and electron transfer dissociation. In total, we could identify 124 hexosylated tryptic peptides in a bottom-up proteomics approach after enriching glycated peptides by boronate affinity chromatography, which corresponded to 86 glycation sites in 17 bovine milk proteins. In quantitative terms glycation increased from raw milk to pasteurized milk to UHT milk and infant formula. Lactose-free milk contained significantly higher hexosylation degrees than the corresponding regular milk product. Interestingly, the glycation degrees varied considerably among different brands with lactose-free UHT milk and infant formula showing the highest levels. Biological significanceThe established proteomics strategy enables the identification and relative quantification of different protein glycation types in diverse milk products ranging from raw milk to milk powders. This will allow detailed in vitro studies to judge positive or negative aspects when consuming differently processed milk products including lactose-free milk that is obligatory for people with lactose intolerance but is increasingly consumed by the general population assuming health benefits. The established analytics will also permit studying the influence of each technical processing step on the glycation degrees and thus offers the possibility to reduce glycation early during production, as obvious from the variation among different brands. Special attention should be given to the high hexose- and lactose-derived glycation levels found in infant formula, although it is still controversially discussed if protein glycation has a negative biological impact.

Fluoride concentrations of milk, infant formulae, and soy-based products commercially available in Brazil.

To assess the fluoride (F) content in commercially available milk formulae in Brazil and to estimate the F intake in children from this source in the first year of life. Samples of cow's milk (n = 51), infant formulae (n = 15), powdered milk (n = 13), and soy-based products (n = 4) purchased in Araçatuba (Brazil) had their F content measured using an ion-specific electrode, after hexamethyldisiloxane-facilitated diffusion. Powdered milk and infant formulae were reconstituted with deionized water, while ready-to-drink products were analyzed without any dilution. Using average infant body masses and suggested volumes of formula consumption for infants 1-12 months of age, possible F ingestion per body mass was estimated. Data were analyzed by descriptive analysis. Mean F content ranged from 0.02 to 2.52 mg/L in all samples. None of the cow's milk provided F intake higher than 0.07 mg/kg. However, two infant formulae, one powdered milk, and one soy-milk led to a daily F intake above the suggested threshold for fluorosis when reconstituted with deionized water. Assuming reconstitution of products with tap water at 0.7 ppm F, two infant formulae, five powdered milk, and four soymilks led to daily F intake ranging from 0.108 to 0.851 mg/kg. The results suggest that the consumption of some brands of infant formulae, powdered milk, and soy-based milk in the first year of age could increase the risk of dental fluorosis, reinforcing the need for periodic surveillance of the F content of foods and beverages typically consumed by young children.

Identification and quantification of bovine protein lactosylation sites in different milk products

The microbiological safety of milk is typically guaranteed by thermal treatments, such as pasteurization and ultra high temperature (UHT) treatment, whereas infant formula (IF) is often produced at even harsher conditions including a drying process. Thermal treatments have raised concerns, as they may denature proteins and initiate protein modifications. Previous studies identified already many lactosylation sites in milk and showed that the lactosylation degree of some proteins correlates to thermal treatment conditions. Here, we studied the glycation degrees of 124 lactosylation sites in 28 bovine milk proteins in raw milk, three brands of pasteurized milk, three brands of UHT milk, and five brands of IF. Whereas, the glycation degree of many lactosylation sites increased from raw milk, to pasteurized milk, UHT milk, and IF, several modification sites showed a different behavior indicating that global measures do not correctly reflect the reactivity of distinct sites. Interestingly, the glycation degrees varied considerably among the brands of UHT milk and IF indicating that specific production processes of a company have to be considered and not only the classification of milk as pasteurized or UHT. Thus, proper adjustments of the technical processes should allow reducing the lactosylation levels in both UHT milk and IF. SignificanceIt is well established that thermal treatment of milk triggers protein modifications, such as lactosylation of lysine residues in several proteins, although the extent of lactosylation has not been quantitatively compared for a broad panel of protein lactosylation sites among different commercial products. The current study extends previous reports by relatively quantifying 124 confirmed lactosylation sites in 28 bovine milk proteins including several low abundant proteins. Whereas, glycation is generally assumed to be an unspecific chemical reaction with the modification degrees depending on the protein and sugar concentrations, we could show that each protein and even each lactosylation site in a given protein is differently affected by thermal processes indicating that the global lactosylation degrees will not allow predicting the influence of a technical process on individual proteins and lactosylation sites. Additionally, we could show that brands of each milk product differ significantly in their glycation degrees with UHT milk brands for example spanning the whole range from the relatively low lactosylation degree of pasteurized milk to the rather high lactosylation degree of IF. Similar differences were obtained for IF that generally showed the highest glycation degree. The targeted quantification approach established and validated here will be useful to reveal technical processing steps that trigger individual lactosylation sites and thus can help to prevent such unwanted reactions. Even slight changes of the technical processes might allow reducing the lactosylation degree of milk proteins significantly without challenging the microbiological safety or affecting consumer behavior.

Determination of 210Po concentration in commercially available infant formulae and assessment of daily ingestion dose

A study has been conducted to estimate the concentration of natural radioactive polonium in commercially available packaged infant food formulae available in Mumbai, India and the corresponding daily dose normalized based on its shelf life. Eleven most popular international brands of infant formulae were sourced from market and three aliquots from each sample were analysed for concordant results. Autodeposition method onto a silver planchet from hot dilute acid solution followed by alpha spectrometry was performed for estimation of polonium. Radiochemical recovery was ascertained by the addition of 209Po tracer. Radiochemical recovery of 209Po tracer was ranged from 14.7 to 98.1 %. The 210Po concentration in the samples was in the range of 0.08–0.23 Bq kg−1 on measured date and the corresponding daily dose, calculated on normalized date which is at mid-point of the shelf life of the sample, was ranged from 0.04 to 0.89 μSv d−1 as per the recommended daily consumption. The annual committed effective dose estimated based on the average of daily dose was found to be 150 μSv.

Breastfeeding guidance in community pharmacies: The results of a mystery shopper study

AbstractAim: To assess the nature and quality of breastfeeding‐related guidance provided by community‐based pharmacy staff.Methods: A covert observational ‘mystery shopper’ study of 66 randomly selected community pharmacies was employed to assess actual breastfeeding guidance practices among pharmacy staff. A female mystery shopper used a scripted scenario designed to explore guidance practices relevant to breastfeeding promotion. Pharmacy staff: mystery shopper interactions were documented immediately following the exchange by the mystery shopper and a second shadow observer. These records were qualitatively analysed against a predetermined good practice framework of guidance expected for this scenario.Results: Of 66 pharmacies visited, the mystery shopper consulted with 18 pharmacists and 48 pharmacy assistants. Pharmacies visited included an equal mix of chain and independent pharmacies. The mean length of each mystery shopper to pharmacy staff interaction was 2.3 minutes (range of 0.5–10 minutes). In only 9 of 66 interactions was printed educational or product information provided to complement verbal advice. Most of this material (6/9) related to infant formula product information. Analysis of the content of guidance provided indicates limited advice being given regarding breastfeeding perseverance when confronted with breastfeeding difficulties (4/66), with most interactions involving direct advice regarding brands of infant formula to use.Conclusions: The quality of guidance provided by pharmacy staff in the context of breastfeeding promotion suggests a need for multistrategy intervention in the pharmacy setting and identifies a potential opportunity for collaborative interventions between nutrition, nursing and pharmacy practitioners to enhance infant‐feeding guidance.

Concentração de alfa-tocoferol em colostro humano e em fórmulas infantis e o atendimento ao requerimento nutricional do recém-nascido

This study compared the alpha-tocopherol contents in human colostrum and infant formulas, and the vitamin E requirements for newborns were assessed in the both samples. To perform this cross-sectional study, the colostrums samples were collected from 82 lactating women, under fasting conditions, and immediately after postpartum period. Alpha-tocopherol contents were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Four brands of infant formula (F1, F2, F3, and F4), appropriate for children aged 0–6 months, were obtained from a supermarket. The mean alpha-tocopherol concentration in the colostrum was 1479 ± 807.7 μg/dL, and in the formulas was 810 ± 182.4 μg/dL, which corresponded to the availability of 7.3 mg/day and 4.1 mg/day, respectively. The alpha-tocopherol concentration in colostrum was 43 % higher than that in infant formulas, and 82 % higher than those the age-related recommended contents. The F3 formula contained 68 % of the recommended daily dose of alpha-tocopherol only; and the other formulas showed concentrations of &gt;4 mg/day. Therefore, the colostrum provides alpha-tocopherol in an amount higher than that found in infant formula, and not all of the formulas provided alpha-tocopherol in quantities higher than those recommended to meet the needs and to form alpha-tocopherol reserves for newborns.

Cost-effectiveness of partially-hydrolyzed formula for prevention of atopic dermatitis in Australia

Objective:To perform an economic evaluation of a specific brand of partially hydrolyzed infant formula (PHF-W) in the prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) among Australian infants.Methods:A cost-effectiveness analysis was undertaken from the perspectives of the Department of Health and Aging (DHA), of the family of the affected subject and of society as a whole in Australia, based on a decision-analytic model following a hypothetical representative cohort of Australian newborns who are not exclusively breastfed and who have a familial history of allergic disease (i.e., are deemed ‘at risk’). Costs, consequences, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were calculated for PHF-W vs standard cow’s milk based infant formula (SF), and, in a secondary analysis, vs extensively hydrolyzed infant formula (EHF-Whey), when the latter was used for the prevention of AD.Results:From a representative starting cohort of 87,724 ‘at risk’ newborns in Australia in 2009, the expected ICERs for PHF-W vs SF were AU$496 from the perspective of the DHA and savings of AUD1739 and AU$1243 from the family and societal perspectives, respectively. When compared to EHF-Whey, PHF-W was associated with savings for the cohort of AU$5,183,474 and AU$6,736,513 from the DHA and societal perspectives.Limitations:The generalizability and transferability of results to other settings, populations, or brands of infant formula should be made with caution. Whenever possible, a conservative approach directing bias against PHF-W rather than its comparators was applied in the base case analysis. Assumptions were verified in one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses, which confirmed the robustness of the model.Conclusions:PHF-W appears to be cost-effective when compared to SF from the DHA perspective, dominant over SF from the other perspectives, and dominant over EHF-Whey from all perspectives, in the prevention of AD in ‘at risk’ infants not exclusively breastfed, in Australia.

Milk and Social Media

The advent of social networking sites and other online communities presents new opportunities and challenges for the promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding. This study examines the presence of infant formula marketing on popular US social media sites, using the World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the Code) as a framework. We examined to what extent each of 11 infant formula brands that are widely available in the US had established a social media presence in popular social media venues likely to be visited by expectant parents and families with young children. We then examined current marketing practices, using the Code as a basis for ethical marketing. Infant formula manufacturers have established a social media presence primarily through Facebook pages, interactive features on their own Web sites, mobile apps for new and expecting parents, YouTube videos, sponsored reviews on parenting blogs, and other financial relationships with parenting blogs. Violations of the Code as well as promotional practices unforeseen by the Code were identified. These practices included enabling user-generated content that promotes the use of infant formula, financial relationships between manufacturers and bloggers, and creation of mobile apps for use by parents. An additional concern identified for Code enforcement is lack of transparency in social media-based marketing. The use of social media for formula marketing may demand new strategies for monitoring and enforcing the Code in light of emerging challenges, including suggested content for upcoming consideration for World Health Assembly resolutions.

Multiple reaction monitoring-based determination of bovine α-lactalbumin in infant formulas and whey protein concentrates by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using tryptic signature peptides and synthetic peptide standards

The determination of α-lactalbumin in various dairy products attracts wide attention in multidiscipline fields because of its nutritional and biological functions. In the present study, we quantified the bovine α-lactalbumin in various infant formulas and whey protein concentrates using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Bovine α-lactalbumin was quantified by employing the synthetic internal standard based on the molar equivalent relationship among the internal standard, bovine α-lactalbumin and their signature peptides. This study especially focused on the recovery rates of the sample preparation procedure and robust quantification of total bovine α-lactalbumin in its native and thermally denatured form with a synthetic internal standard KILDKVGINNYWLAHKALCSE. The observed recovery rates of bovine α-lactalbumin ranged from 95.8 to 100.6% and the reproducibility was excellent (RSD<6%) at different spiking levels. The limit of quantitation is 10mg/100g for infant formulas and whey protein concentrates. In order to validate the applicability of the method, 21 brands of infant formulas were analyzed. The acquired contents of bovine α-lactalbumin were 0.67–1.84g/100g in these infant formulas in agreement with their label claimed values. The experiment of heat treatment time showed that the loss of native α-lactalbumin enhanced with an increasing intensity of heat treatment. Comparing with Ren's previous method by analysis of only native bovine α-lactalbumin, the present method at the peptide level proved to be highly suitable for measuring bovine α-lactalbumin in infant formulas and whey protein concentrates, avoiding forgoing the thermally induced denatured α-lactalbumin caused by the technological processing.

Mycoestrogen Pollution of Italian Infant Food

To determine the concentrations of zearalenone and its metabolites in the leading brands of infant formula milks and meat-based infant foods commonly marketed in Italy, and to assess their repercussion in the provisional tolerable daily intakes of these estrogenic mycotoxins. A total of 185 cow's milk-based infant formulas and 44 samples of meat-based infant foods samples were analyzed. The analysis of mycotoxins was performed by immunoaffinity column clean-up and high-pressure liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Zearalenone was detected in 17 (9%) milk samples (maximum 0.76 μg/L). The α-zearalenol was detected in 49 (26%) milk samples (maximum 12.91 μg/L). The β-zearalenol was detected in 53 (28%) milk samples (maximum 73.24 μg/L). The α-zearalanol and β-zearalanol were not detected in milk samples. Although α-zearalenol was detected in 12 (27%) meat samples (maximum 30.50 μg/kg), only one meat-based sample was contaminated by α-zearalanol (950 μg/kg). Zearalenone, β-zearalenol, and β-zearalanol were not detected in meat samples. This study shows the presence of mycoestrogens in infant (milk-based and meat-based) food, and this is likely to have great implications for subsequent generations, suggesting the need to perform occurrence surveys in this type of food.

Medical toxicology: Need for recognition as a subspecialty

Medical toxicology: Need for recognition as a subspecialty

Toxic Metals (Pb and Cd) and Their Respective Antagonists (Ca and Zn) in Infant Formulas and Milk Marketed in Brasilia, Brazil

In non-ideal scenarios involving partial or non-breastfeeding, cow’s milk-based dairy products are mainstream in infant feeding. Therefore, it is important to study the concentrations of potentially neurotoxic contaminants (Pb and Cd) and their respective counteracting elements (Ca and Zn) in infant dairy products. Fifty-five brands of infant formulas and milk sold in Brasilia, Brazil were analyzed. The dairy products came from areas in the central-west (26%), southeast (29%) and south of Brazil (36%) extending as far as Argentina (7%) and the Netherlands (2%). For toxic Pb and Cd, median concentrations in powdered samples were 0.109 mg/kg and 0.033 mg/kg, respectively; in fluid samples median Pb concentration was 0.084 mg/kg, but median Cd concentration was below the limit of detection and overall values were below reference safety levels. However, 62% of these samples presented higher Pb concentration values than those established by FAO/WHO. Although the inverse correlation between Cd and Zn (Spearman r = −0.116; P = 0.590) was not statistically significant, the positive correlation between Ca and Pb was (Spearman r = 0.619; P < 0.0001). Additionally, there was a significant correlation between Pb and Cd. Furthermore, the study also revealed that provision of the essential trace element Zn in infant formulas can provide adequate amounts of the recommended daily requirements. Infant formulas and milk sold for consumption by infants and children can be an efficient tool to monitor neurotoxic metal risk exposure among young children.

There is (still) too much aluminium in infant formulas.

BackgroundInfant formulas are sophisticated milk-based feeds for infants which are used as a substitute for breast milk. Historically they are known to be contaminated by aluminium and in the past this has raised health concerns for exposed infants. We have measured the aluminium content of a number of widely used infant formulas to determine if their contamination by aluminium and consequent issues of child health persists.MethodsSamples of ready-made milks and powders used to make milks were prepared by microwave digestion of acid/peroxide mixtures and their aluminium content determined by THGA.ResultsThe concentration of aluminium in ready-made milks varied from ca 176 to 700 μg/L. The latter concentration was for a milk for preterm infants. The aluminium content of powders used to make milks varied from ca 2.4 to 4.3 μg/g. The latter content was for a soya-based formula and equated to a ready-to-drink milk concentration of 629 μg/L. Using the manufacturer's own guidelines of formula consumption the average daily ingestion of aluminium from infant formulas for a child of 6 months varied from ca 200 to 600 μg of aluminium. Generally ingestion was higher from powdered as compared to ready-made formulas.ConclusionsThe aluminium content of a range of well known brands of infant formulas remains high and particularly so for a product designed for preterm infants and a soya-based product designed for infants with cow's milk intolerances and allergies. Recent research demonstrating the vulnerability of infants to early exposure to aluminium serves to highlight an urgent need to reduce the aluminium content of infant formulas to as low a level as is practically possible.

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.

Evaluation of the daily iron intake by non-breastfed Egyptian infants and young children.

Iron deficiency is frequently associated with anaemia. The prevalence of anaemia among Egyptian infants and young children is 25%. Fortification of infant and followup milk-based formulae remains a valuable method for delivering iron to reduce the incidence of iron deficiency anaemia. Percentage of Egyptian non-breastfed children consuming milk or milk products (7-23 months) are 79.1%. No studies have focused on infant and follow-up milk-based formulae that are marketed in Egypt regardingiron fortification and consumption. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the intake of iron by non-breastfed Egyptian infants and young children. To achieve this goal the infant and follow-up milk based formulae brands and types, low – iron and iron – fortified, that are commercially available on the local market were collected. In addition, the iron concentration was determined in the collected formulae in relation to the label statements to ensure the correct intake. Finally, the actual dailyintake of iron from formulae consumption was estimated in relation to the nutritional requirements. The CRM 1846 and 3126a were used for the precision and accuracy of the method. It was shown that the iron levels in all milk-based formulae were lower than those reported on the labels and ranged between 6.17 -10.98 mg/L. No significant difference was found between the average concentration of iron in lowiron formula brands (8.1±2.3 mg/L) and iron-fortified formula brands (8.6± 2.0mg/L). The average levels of the iron in the infant formula brands were lower (p

Prevalence of aflatoxin M1 in milk and its potential liver cancer risk in Taiwan.

Pasteurized milk may contain the liver carcinogen aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) if the cows that produce the milk ingest feed contaminated with aflatoxin B1. In this study, we collected 144 milk samples of three main brands in Taiwan twice a month over a 1-year period and purchased two samples each of eight domestic and imported brands of infant formula at two different times in 2005. Samples underwent solid-phase extraction, cleaning in immunoaffinity columns, and quantification by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We found autumn and winter levels of AFM1 to be higher than those in the spring and the summer. We also found higher concentrations of AFM1 in low-fat milk than in whole-fat milk. We were able to detect trace amounts of AFM1 (1.17 to 54.7 ng/liter) in all of our milk samples, but there was only one sample in which the level of AFM1 slightly exceeded the regulatory limit of the European Union (50 ng/liter). We were unable to detect AFM1 in any of the infant formulae. Using a World Health Organization method of evaluating risk of liver cancer, the group we found to be at greatest risk was 6- to 9-year-old girls (average, 12.2 additional cases per billion); the group with the lowest risk was men of 45 to 64 years of age (average, 3.45 additional cases per billion), the latter consuming less milk than all other groups. Consequently, the risk for liver cancer due to ingestion of milk contaminated with AFM1 was estimated to be low in Taiwan.