Consumption of Minerals, Toxic Metals and Hydroxymethylfurfural: Analysis of Infant Foods and Formulae

Abstract

Infant foods and formulae may contain toxic substances and elements which can be neo-formed contaminants or derived from raw materials or processing. The content of minerals, toxic elements and hydroxymethylfurfural in infant foods and formulae were evaluated. The effect of storage temperature on HMF formation in infant formulae and its potential as a quality parameter was also evaluated. Prune-based foods contained the highest HMF content. HMF significantly increased when storage temperature was elevated to 30 ℃ for 21 days. All trace elements were present in adequate amounts while the concentration of nickel was higher when compared to those of other studies. The study indicates that HMF can be used as quality indicator for product shelf-life and that the concentrations of minerals and toxic elements vary greatly due to the diverse compositions of foods and formulae. Such contaminants need to be monitored as infants represent a vulnerable group compared to adults.

Fish-Based Baby Food Concern—From Species Authentication to Exposure Risk Assessment

“…However, several investigations have been carried out to establish their toxicant contamination status. For example, levels of PAH markers were higher than the permissible EU limits of 1 mg/kg in 44.4% meat/fish based baby foods in Italy [ 6 ]; polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been measured in samples of commercial fish-based baby food products collected from Spanish markets and pharmacies [ 7 ]; mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) contamination was found in fish baby food products [ 8 ]; and the contents of minerals, toxic elements and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in infant foods and formulae have been evaluated [ 9 ]. While investigations on contamination of fish-based baby food have been common, investigations on fish species authentication are scarce.…”

Analysis of Chemical Contaminants in Food

“…Markers of toxicity may be neo-formed contaminants or derived from raw materials or processing and were quantified using various techniques. UV and ICP-AES spectroscopy applications were proposed and applied to evaluate both metal and HMF contaminants in infant foods and formulae sold in Malta [ 9 ]. The paper of Smadi et al reports the result of a study aimed to detect toxic residues in breast milk of Syrian refugee lactating mothers in Lebanon.…”