Infant formula and baby food as a source of perfluoroalkyl substances for infants

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Food Safety
• Pediatric Nutrition

Background:

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent environmental contaminants with potential health implications.
• Infant formula and baby foods are critical dietary sources for infants, necessitating assessment of chemical contaminant exposure.
• Limited data exists on infant exposure to a broad spectrum of PFASs through specific food matrices in Poland.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the levels of fourteen perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in various infant formulas and baby foods.
• To estimate the dietary intake of these PFASs for infants based on consumption of analyzed food products.
• To compare estimated infant PFAS intake with established tolerable weekly intake (TWI) levels.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of fourteen PFASs in first infant milk, follow-on milk, and three types of baby food (fruit/vegetable, fish, meat varieties).
• Quantification of PFAS concentrations using lower-bound (LB) method.
• Calculation of dietary intake based on measured PFAS concentrations and typical infant consumption patterns.

Main Results:

• Mean LB concentrations of total PFASs (∑14 PFASs) were 0.22 μg/kg w.w. in first infant milk and 0.24 μg/kg w.w. in follow-on milk.
• Lower mean LB concentrations of ∑14 PFASs (0.019–0.025 μg/kg w.w.) were found in baby foods.
• Perfluorotetradecanoic acid was the most abundant PFAS in both infant formula and baby food; estimated dietary intake was well below the EFSA's TWI of 4.4 ng/kg b.w.

Conclusions:

• This preliminary study provides initial data on infant exposure to PFASs in Poland via infant formula and baby food.
• The measured dietary intake of ∑14 PFASs was found to be negligible concerning the established tolerable weekly intake.
• Further research using more sensitive analytical methods and diverse infant food compositions is recommended to comprehensively assess infant exposure.