Lead, cadmium and aluminum in Canadian infant formulae, oral electrolytes and glucose solutions
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Robert Dabeka1, Andre Fouquet, Stephane Belisle
1Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. bob.dabeka@hc-sc.gc.ca
Insights
This study measured lead, cadmium, and aluminum in infant formulas, finding low levels of lead and cadmium. Aluminum levels varied significantly, with higher concentrations in soy-based and specialized formulas, and in those stored in glass bottles.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- Infant formulas are a critical source of nutrition for infants unable to breastfeed.
- Heavy metal contamination in food products is a public health concern, especially for vulnerable populations like infants.
- Aluminum (Al) is a common element, but its accumulation in infants from formula requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and aluminum (Al) levels in various infant formulas, oral electrolytes, and glucose solutions available in Canada.
- To identify factors influencing Al concentrations, such as formula type, preparation form, and storage container.
- To compare Al levels in formulas with those found in human milk.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 437 individual samples of infant formulas (milk-based, soy-based), oral electrolytes, and 5% glucose solutions.
- Determination of Pb, Cd, and Al concentrations using appropriate analytical techniques.
- Comparison of metal levels based on formula type, concentration (powder, liquid), and storage (glass vs. can).
Main Results:
- Lead and cadmium levels in electrolytes and glucose solutions were very low.
- Pb and Cd levels in milk- and soy-based formulas were low, averaging below 1.45 ng g⁻¹.
- Average Al levels were 440 ng g⁻¹ in milk-based and 730 ng g⁻¹ in soy-based formulas, with significant variations.
- Al concentrations increased in specific formula types (e.g., soy, hypoallergenic, premature) and with decreasing concentration (ready-to-use > concentrated liquid > powder).
- Formulae stored in glass bottles showed higher Al levels (100–300 ng g⁻¹) compared to those in cans.
- All manufacturers could produce plain milk-based formulas with Al levels below 50 ng g⁻¹, comparable to human milk.
Conclusions:
- While lead and cadmium levels are not a significant concern in the studied products, aluminum levels in infant formulas warrant attention due to significant variations.
- Specialized formulas (soy, hypoallergenic, premature) and ready-to-use preparations tend to have higher aluminum concentrations.
- Storage in glass bottles may contribute to increased aluminum levels in formulas, though the source requires further investigation; however, Al levels in plain milk-based formulas are comparable to human milk.
Abstract:
Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and aluminum (Al) were determined in 437 individual samples of infant formulae, oral electrolytes and 5% glucose solutions available in Canada. In the electrolytes, Cd and Pb concentrations were all below 0.01 and 0.041 ng g(-1), respectively. In the 5% glucose solutions, Pb and Cd levels averaged 0.01 and 0.09 ng g(-1), respectively. Reported on an as-consumed basis, Pb levels in milk- and soya-based formulae averaged 0.90 and 1.45 ng g(-1), respectively, while Cd levels averaged 0.23 and 1.18 ng g(-1), respectively Average Al levels on an as-consumed basis were 440 ng g(-1) (range 10-3400 ng g(-1)) in milk-based formulae and 730 ng g(-1) (range 230-1100 ng g(-1)) in soy-based formulae. Al concentrations increased in the following order: plain formula < low-iron formula < iron-supplemented formula < casein hydrolysate formula ≈ premature formula ≤ soy formula. For example, in the powdered formulae, average Al concentrations were 18 ng g(-1) for plain milk-based, 37 ng g(-1) for low-iron, 128 ng g(-1) for iron supplemented, 462 ng g(-1) for lactose-free, 518 ng g(-1) for hypoallergenic and 619 ng g(-1) for soy-based formula. Al concentrations, as-consumed, increased with decreasing levels of concentration: powder < concentrated liquid < ready-to-use. Formulae stored in glass bottles contained between 100 and 300 ng g(-1) more Al than the same formulae stored in cans. The source of the increased Al did not appear to be the glass itself, because most electrolytes and glucose solutions, also stored in glass, contained less than 8 ng g(-1) Al. Corresponding differences in Pb and Cd levels were not observed. Al concentrations varied substantially among manufacturers; however, all manufacturers were able to produce plain milk-based formulae containing less than 50 ng g(-1) Al, i.e. within the range of Al concentrations found in human milk. Next to soya-based and hypoallergenic formulae, premature formulae contained among the highest concentrations of Al, ranging 851-909 ng g(-1) from one manufacturer and 365-461 ng g(-1) from another.
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