Pediatric Health Risk Assessment for Exposure to Aluminum from Infant Formulas and Children under the Age of Five’s Food Products among Arab Infants: Experience from Lebanon

Abstract

Chronic dietary aluminum (Al) exposure can have various negative effects on health. The aim of our study is to (1) assess the contamination level of Al in infant formulas (n = 41) and baby food products (n = 76) available in the Lebanese market, and to (2) evaluate the margin of exposure of Al through the consumption of these foods among children under the age of five in Lebanon. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was used to evaluate all of the samples. Al levels in all tested children’s food items were below the limit of detection. The highest Al level was detected in cornflakes (0.361 ± 0.049 mg/kg) and pureed foods (0.362 ± 0.079 mg/kg). Among infants aged 0–23 months, the average Al exposure due to the daily intake of infant formulas and baby foods was 0.01 and 0.0104 mg/kg BW/day for males and females, respectively. Babies aged 8–10 and 3–5 months had the highest and lowest levels of Al exposure, respectively. Additionally, the toxicological contribution of Al exposure determined for several age groups to a provisional tolerated weekly intake (PTWI) set by JECFA was <6% and <7% for males and females, respectively. The total Al exposure through the consumption of infant formulas and complementary foods among all ages in both males and females was below the values of weekly tolerable intakes (2 mg/kg/BW/W) set by JECFA. However, the values of hazard quotient (HQ) exceeded 1 in both male and female Lebanese infants. As a result, the risk of infants being exposed to Al in baby foods needs to be continuously considered.

Assessment of some element content and potential health risks in infant formulas available in Turkish markets

“…On the other hand, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set a TWI (Tolerable Weekly Intake) of 1 mg/kg bw for Al in all food sources [58]. The Committee observed that the PTWI may be exceeded in some demographics, particularly in children who regularly consume foods containing Al-based additives or ingredients [59]. When the EWI values given in Table 4 were compared with the PTWI value, it was observed that all infant formulas were below the limit value.…”

Neonatal exposure to aluminum chloride predisposes adult and senile gerbils to the prostatic hyperplasia

“…The AlCl 3 doses, in male and female laboratory rodents, usually diluted in drinking water, can vary from 0.4 to more than 4000 mg/kg. In this study, we chose to use a relatively low dose of Al, as it is closer to the tolerable intake recommended by the International Scientific Committee of Experts on Addictive Foods (Ibrahim et al, 2022).…”

“…In addition, this metal is also found in packaging, antacids, vaccines, antiperspirants, kidney dialysis, parenteral nutrition, and cosmetics (Darbre et al, 2011; de Oliveira et al, 2010; El‐Sayed et al, 2011; Shaw et al, 2013). According to the International Scientific Committee of Experts on Addictive Foods (JECFA), it has been determined that the tolerable intake of Al corresponds to 2 mg/kg/week (Crisponi et al, 2013; Ibrahim et al, 2022). However, the daily intake of foods containing Al additives can reach 100 mg/day (Saiyed & Yokel, 2005).…”