Survey of total mercury in infant formulae and oral electrolytes sold in Canada.
Total mercury (Hg) was measured in 150 infant formula products (as sold) and oral electrolyte solutions purchased in Canada in 2003. Results less than the limit of detection (LOD) were reported as the numeric value of the LOD. Electrolytes contained the lowest concentrations, averaging 0.026 ng/g. Average levels in milk-based ready-to-use, concentrated liquid and powdered concentrate were 0.028, 0.069 and 0.212 ng/g, respectively. In soy-based formulae, the respective mean concentrations were 0.049, 0.101 and 0.237 ng/g. These concentrations cannot be considered on an absolute basis because 76% of sample concentrations fell below the limit of detection. Despite the inability to measure many of the actual background concentrations, the method was sufficiently sensitive to identify clear cases of low-level Hg contamination (up to 1.5 ng/g) of individual lots of powdered formula. Also, all the different lots of one brand of concentrated liquid infant formulae had significantly higher concentrations of Hg than those of all other concentrated liquid products. After dilution with preparation water, the Hg concentrations in all products would be lower than the Canadian Drinking Water Guideline for Hg of 1 ng/mL and too low to impact on health.
a Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.
Robert W
RW
Dabeka
Arthur D
AD
McKenzie
D000284:Administration, Oral; D004340:Drug Contamination; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D005506:Food Contamination; D005511:Food Handling; D005513:Food Inspection; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D009864:Ontario; D011042:Poisons / Q000032:analysis*; D011792:Quebec; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D045730:Soy Foods / Q000032:analysis / Q000191:economics
D004573:Electrolytes; D011042:Poisons; D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D008628:Mercury
electrolytes; infant formula; levels; mercury; survey