Fluoride concentration in commonly consumed infant juices.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to measure the fluoride concentration in the most commonly consumed, commercially available infant fruit juices and to determine if a significant difference existed among various juice flavors and brands.


METHODS
Ninety samples of different flavors from three infant juice manufacturing companies were analyzed using the Taves microdiffusion method. The fluoride content in one serving juice container was calculated and compared to the recommended optimal daily fluoride intake.


RESULTS
Fluoride concentrations ranged from 0.11 to 1.81 ppm (mean=0.75+0.45 ppm) for all samples. A statistically significant difference in fluoride concentration among different manufacturers (P<.001) was found. Gerber juices contained higher fluoride amounts (mean=1.1+0.22 ppm) than Beechnut juices (mean=0.43+0.42 ppm) and Earth's Best juices (mean=0.34+0.13 ppm).


CONCLUSIONS
Fluoride was found in all tested infant juice samples, and concentrations varied among manufacturers and flavors assessed. Fluoride in all tested samples was below the recommended optimal daily intake. When taking other fluoride sources into consideration, infants six months old and younger who consume three times the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended amounts of juice per day may be at risk of developing fluorosis.
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, in the School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, Calif., USA. somar@llu.edu.
Samah
S
Omar
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, in the School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, Calif., USA.
Jung-Wei
JW
Chen
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, in the School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, Calif., USA.
Bonnie
B
Nelson
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, in the School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, Calif., USA.
Wesley
W
Okumura
Center for Dental Research, in the School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, Calif., USA.
Wu
W
Zhang
D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis*; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000209:etiology*; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant
D005459:Fluorides