title: Fluoride content of UHT milks commercially available in Bauru, Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the present study were to evaluate the fluoride (F) concentrations in whole, defatted and chocolate milks commercially available in Brazil and to estimate the daily F intake from these sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  F concentrations were determined for 23 brands of milks, after HMDS-facilitated diffusion, using a F ion-specific electrode. Possible F ingestion per kg body weight was estimated, based on suggested volumes of formula consumption, for infants aging 1 to 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  F concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 1.6 microg/mL F for all brands analyzed. Whole and defatted milks had the lowest F concentrations, ranging from 0.02 to 0.07 microg/mL. With respect to chocolate milks, three brands had F concentrations above 0.5 microg/mL. Some brands of chocolate milks exceeded the dose regarded as the threshold level for the development of dental fluorosis, without taking into account other sources of fluoride intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high fluoride concentrations found in some brands of chocolate milks in the present study indicate that many products may be important contributors to the total fluoride intake, reinforcing the need of assaying fluoride content of foods and beverages consumed by small children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru Dental School, University of São Paulo, Brazil. mbuzalaf@fob.usp.br
authors.forename: Marília Afonso Rabelo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Buzalaf
authors.forename: Juliano Pelim
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pessan
authors.forename: Rejane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.forename: Andréia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Helena Maria
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Rosa