Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Application and Methodology of the Non-destructive 19F Time-domain NMR Technique to Measure the Content in Fluorine-containing Drug Products
Published on: August 22, 2017
Fluoride content of ready-to-feed (RTF) infant food and drinks in the UK
Anne Maguire1, Narges Omid, Lamis Abuhaloob
1Centre for Oral Health Research, School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, UK. A.Maguire@ncl.ac.uk
Background:
The level of Fluoride exposure needed to cause dental fluorosis is not known precisely. An awareness of total F intake from all sources, especially during the critical stages of dental development during infancy and early childhood, is important in preventing the development of dental fluorosis.
Objectives:
The aim of the study was to measure F content of ready-to-feed (RTF) infant drinks and foods in the UK.
Methods:
In total, 122 infant foods were analysed for F concentrations, in triplicate, indirectly by an acid diffusion method and 25 infant drinks analysed directly using an F-ion-selective electrode after addition of TISABIII.
Results:
The median (range) F concentration was 0.110 (0.030-0.221) microg/g for breakfast cereals, 0.112 (0.040-1.200) microg/g for savoury meals, 0.056 (0.030-0.379) microg/g for desserts, 0.044 (0.020-0.191) microg/g for fruits, 0.196 (0.040-0.397) microg/g for baked goods, 0.069 (0.050-0.148) microg/ml for juices, 0.016 (0.009-0.030) microg/ml for milks and 0.041 (0.022-0.069) microg/ml for waters. The median (range) F concentration of all RTF infant foods and drinks by recommended age of consumption was 0.029 (0.010-0.245), 0.088 (0.020-0.500), 0.108 (0.100-0.510) and 0.108 (0.060-1.200) microg/g for infants from birth, 4+ month, 6+ month and 10+ month, respectively.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that the F concentrations of UK-marketed RTF infant foods, drinks and formula milk are not sufficiently high to be a risk factor for dental fluorosis, if consumption is within the limits recommended for infants and young children.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Minerals
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Fluorination and Iodination of Benzene
Solubility Equilibria: Overview
Solubility is important in biological and environmental processes. A notable...
Drug Regulation