Fluoride content in bottled waters, juices and carbonated soft drinks in Mexico City, Mexico.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to analyse 283 samples of soft drinks available in the metropolitan market of Mexico City, Mexico: 105 juices, 101 nectars, 57 carbonated drinks and 20 bottled waters.


METHODS
Samples of the beverages were analysed using an Orion 720A potentiometer and an Orion 9609BN F ion-specific electrode.


RESULTS
Fluoride concentration in the above-mentioned products ranged from 0.07 to 1.42 p.p.m. It was found that fluoride concentrations varied according to the brand, flavour and presentation of the product. The highest mean concentration of fluoride was found in the juices and cola drinks (0.67 +/- 0.38 and 0.49 +/- 0.41 p.p.m., respectively). The mean fluoride concentration for carbonated drinks was 0.43 +/- 0.36 p.p.m. Bottled waters had a fluoride concentration of 0.21 +/- 0.08 p.p.m.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that fluoride ingested through bottled drinks represents an important part of the total fluoride ingested by the population. In view of the wide variation of fluoride concentration in the tested products, it is necessary to implement regulatory guidelines for controlling its concentration in order to prevent dental fluorosis.
Jimenez-Farfan
M D
MD
Departamento de Inmunología, División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City. dollyfluor@yahoo.com.mx
Hernandez-Guerrero
J C
JC
Loyola-Rodriguez
J P
JP
Ledesma-Montes
C
C
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000145:classification; D005638:Fruit; D008800:Mexico; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*
D014867:Water; D005459:Fluorides