Metal levels in baby foods within safe limits, says regulator

By Ahmed ElAmin

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Metal European union

The levels of metals found UK baby foods do not pose a health
problem, according to the country's food safety regulator.

The levels found were generally similar to those measured in a previous survey, the FoodStandards Agency (FSA) stated yesterday in release the results of its survey. One sample of formula for infants had levels of iron slightly above the permitted limits.

The FSA's conclusion is based on its survey of the concentrations of 15 metals and other elements in a wide range of commercial weaning foods and formulae.

The survey was done to assess infants' exposures to metals. Scientists measured the levels ofaluminium, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, tin and zincin 201 samples of commercial weaning foods and formulae for infants.

The main route of intake for most of these elements is from foods. Some of these elements are essential nutrients,while others have no known beneficial health effects. However all metals may be harmful if eaten in excessive amounts.

Metals and other elements can be present in foods naturally, as a result of pollution, or fromthe storage or processing of foods, such as when tin migrates from cans into the contained foods.Food processors may also add metals such as iron to their products.

All samples were checked for compliance against limits laid down in the UK Arsenic in Food Regulations 1959,which sets maximum levels for arsenic, and an EU regulation setting maximum levels for certain contaminants infoodstuffs, including cadmium, lead, mercury and tin.

The Processed Cereal-based Foods and Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children (England) Regulationsand the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula regulations set levels for vitamins, minerals and some trace elementssuch as iron, zinc, copper, iodine and manganese.

The survey found a mean of 1.45 mg/kg of aluminium in most samples. The maximum value found was 25.4 mg/kgin a cereal bar sample. Soya-based infant formulae showed higher aluminium levels than the animaltypes. The FSA says the result is consistent as soya beans naturally accumulate certain elements such as aluminium.There are no regulatory limits for aluminium.

For antimony, the mean concentration found was 0.001 mg/kg. The highest level was 0.009 mg/kg,detected in a breakfast food sample.

Arsenic concentrations found in all of the samples analysed in the survey were well below the general limit of 1 mg/kg for all foodsas set in the 1959 food regulations. The mean concentration value was 0.03 mg/kg. The highest levels were found in foods containing fish,followed by products made with rice and poultry.

For cadmium, the mean concentration found was 0.01 mg/kg. The highest level found was 0.09 mg/kg in a sample of rice porridge.EC Regulation 466/2001 sets limits on the metal at between 0.05 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg, depending on thetype of food. The limit for cadmium in rice is 0.2 mg/kg.

For chromium, the survey found a mean concentration of 0.05 mg/kg. The maximum value of 0.62 mg/kg was found in a sample of dessert.

For copper, the mean concentration found was 1.3 mg/kg. The highest level was found in a sample ofcereal bar. All samples were below the limit set out in EU regulations.

Meanwhile the mean iodine concentration found was 0.2 mg/kg. The highest level found was 2.6 mg/kg in a sample of goat's milk.

In testing for iron, the survey found a mean concentration level of 27 mg/kg. One sample of formula for infants showed an iron level of 87 mg/kg, which whencorrected for measurement for uncertainty, gave rise to a level of 1.6mg/100 kcal, slightly above the maximum limitof 1.5 mg/100 kcal.

The 0.02 mg/kg limit on lead in infant formulae is set in EC Regulation 466/2001 as amended. All of the samples of formulae analysed inthe survey are below this limit, the FSA reported. The highest lead concentration at 0.075 mg/kg wasfound in a breakfast sample.

For manganese the mean concentration found was 3.5 mg/kg. The highest level was found in a rice porridge sample. No samples of solid foods with added manganese were included in the survey.

Mercury was detected at concentrations at or above the LOD in only about one quarter of the samples in this survey. The mean mercury concentration was 0.001 mg/kg, slightlylower than the mean value from the 2003 FSA survey at 0.003 mg/kg. The highest level found was 0.012 mg/kg in a sample in the savoury foods group containing fish.

All of the samples of weaning foods analysed for the survey were below the lower limit set by EUregulations, the FSA reported.

For nickel, the mean concentration found was 0.1 mg/kg. The maximum level of 0.9 mg/kg was found in a sample of porridge. Soya-based infant formulae showed higher nickel levelsthan the animal types, since soya beans naturally accumulate certain elements such as nickel.

For selenium the mean concentration wqs 0.04 mg/kg. The maximum value of 0.19 mg/kg was found in a sample of infant formula.

Tin concentrations in all samples were below the limit of 50 mg/kg set by an EU regulation theFSA reported.

The mean tin concentration was 0.08 and 0.09 mg/kg in non-canned and canned foods. The highest level found was 9.1 mg/kg in a non-canned sample of cottage pie.

For zinc, the mean concentration found was 16 mg/kg. The highest level found was 71 mg/kg. The concentrations are higher than those found in the generaldiet, because many infant foods are fortified with zinc to ensure they satisfy nutritional requirements forinfants.

"Taking into account the nutritional requirements for infants, the intakes of iron are not aconcern for the health of infants,"​ the FSA concluded. "Consumption of some samples could lead to intakes ofnickel above the safety guidelines."

A linked research project looking at levels of inorganic arsenic, methyl mercury and different chromium species present in baby foods is currently being carried.

The FSA hopes the programme will lead to a less conservative and more specific risk assessements to be carried out.

The FSA regularly monitors the concentrations of metals and other elements in food. Previousmulti-element analysis in the regulator's diet study have also shown that concentrations of metalsand other elements in food do not present significant risks to the general UK population.

Consultation on a proposed EU amendment to the bloc's regulation on contaminants ended in August. The proposal would widen the scope of limits on heavy metals and mycotoxins in foods, as part of the changes.

The proposed new regulation consolidates and replaces European Commission regulation 466/2001 and its previous amendments. It would require food processors to take greater care in the sourcing of the ingredients used in their products.

The new regulation is expected to apply from 1 March 2007.

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