Estimated daily intake and health risk assessment of toxic elements in infant formulas

Abstract

In this study, the heavy metal (Al, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Pb, and Hg) concentrations were determined in a total of 72 infant formula samples manufactured by 16 different brands in Türkiye. During the analyses, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used in evaluating the nutritional profile and the toxicological risk associated with the consumption of these products. Given the analysis results, the highest Pb content was found in milk-based 'beginner’ formulas (0-6 months, 3 samples) packed in metal containers. The highest concentration of Mn was found in powdered infant formula (Brand 3) that is suitable for 9–12-month-olds. Mn level was found to be above the limit values in 9 samples (12.5%). Cd level exceeded the limit values in two infant formula samples of Brand 3 (0.038 µg/g) and Brand 15 (0.023 µg/g). Therefore, the mean Cd concentration found here reaches the maximum limit set by the European Commission (EU) legislation. Cu was detected in all infant formulas. The highest concentration was determined in Brand 1 (9-12 months, 7 samples) and found to be 2.637±1.928 µg/g. This value is much higher than the reference values set in the national and international standards. Based on the results achieved here, the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for all the metals in infant formulas were found lower than <1. These findings suggest that the baby foods examined would not pose any health risk. The daily intakes exceeding the baby nutrition values recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization) would pose health risk since they would exceed the EDI levels.

Probabilistic risk assessment for determining nonessential metals in commercial infant formula products in Taiwan

“…However, studies have reported that infant formula contains various levels of heavy metals (Elaridi et al, 2021;Sager et al, 2018;Traves, 2015) and that exposure to such heavy metals poses a threat to infant health (Başaran, 2022;Sipahi et al, 2014). Compared with adults, infants are more sensitive to toxic heavy metals because they absorb more contaminants and have a lower threshold for adverse health effects (Demir & Agaoglu, 2023;Eticha et al, 2018).…”