Toxic trace elements in different brands of milk infant formulae in Nairobi market, Kenya

Abstract

World Health Organization (WHO) among other health agencies recommends exclusive breast feeding during the first six months of infancy. However, Infant formula milk (IFM) has been increasingly used as a breast milk substitute due to maternal occupation, death and illness. The product has been associated with infant health complications and even deaths due to its contamination with aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni). Both the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and WHO have set maximum levels of concentration of these metals in IFM and the latter has set levels of provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). Seven brands of IFM (for age 0-6 months) imported into the Kenyan market and shelved in stores in Nairobi County, were analysed for levels of Cd, Al, Pb and Ni. Except for Cd, all brands of IFM (0-6 months) contained the rest of the trace elements ranging as follows: Al (1.054±0.085 to 2.156±0.423 µg/g); Pb (0.018±0.001 to 0.059±0.002 µg/g) and Ni (0.022±0.001 to 0.032±0.001 µg/g). The estimated weekly intakes were below the PTWI thus indicating safety of the brands of IFM. Other than affirm presence of the elements Al, Pb and Ni in IFM though below the WHO set limits, the findings are a pointer to caution on consumption of IFM although this would be inevitable under unavoidable circumstances. The caution is justified since the consumption of IFM would pose health risk to infants due to exposure and bioaccumulation of the elements. Lead particularly was higher than the limits set by KEBS in most brands supporting this caution.

Infant Exposure to Metals through Consumption of Formula Feeding in Mekelle, Ethiopia

“…The levels of elements in five different milk-based infant formulas, targeted for infants aged 6 months to 1 year, are presented in Table 1 . Although cadmium was not detected in all brands of infant formulas in this work which is in agreement with the findings from the surveys done in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [ 10 ], and Kenya [ 15 ], other studies in different origins investigated the presence of cadmium in formula feeding [ 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 ] as shown in Table 2 . The cadmium levels recorded in infant formula products collected from the Nigerian market were 0.05–0.4 mg/kg [ 11 ].…”

Determination of Aflatoxin M1 and Heavy Metals in Infant Formula Milk Brands Available in Pakistani Markets

“…Concentration of Ni in IFM samples is reported by a few researchers. Pandelova et al (2012) reported Ni level below detection limit in all the tested IFM samples available in the markets of Germany while Odhiambo et al (2015) reported 0.022-0.032 mg/kg Ni in the IFM samples available in the markets of Nigeria. The results of these studies are although in line with our study but the higher levels of Ni in some of our tested samples indicated the chances of Ni toxicity in infants.…”

Comparison Among Commonly Available Infant Formula Milks in the Iraqi Market

“…13 Although studies done in developed countries found that there was no significant difference among marketed formula milks, 14 other studies in developing countries found a significant difference in composition among marketed formula milks. 15 , 16 Furthermore, it was found in one study that some of the marketed formula milks were fortified with either a higher- or lower-than-specified level of micronutrients, according to standard guidelines. 17 So this study aimed to compare the nutritional composition of commonly available formula milks in the Iraqi market according to the ESPGHAN guidelines, which was recommended by Owens et al, 2 which stated that the nutritional composition of all infant formulas must meet the global standards as recommended by the ESPGHAN guidelines.…”