Elemental Composition of Toxic and Essential Elements in Rice-Based Baby Foods from the United States and other Countries: A Probabilistic Risk Analysis

Food Chem Toxicol. 2024 Apr 17:114677. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114677. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTConsumption of rice-based foods provides essential nutrients required for infants and toddlers' growth. However, they could contain toxic and excess essential elements that may affect human health. The study aims to determine the composition of rice-based baby foods in the USA and outside and conduct a multiple-life stages probabilistic exposure and risk assessment of toxic and essential elements in children. Elemental concentrations were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in thirty-three rice-based baby foods. This includes 2 infant formulas, 11 rice baby cereals, and 20 rice snacks produced primarily in the United States, China, and other countries. A probabilistic risk assessment was conducted to assess risks of adverse health effects. Results showed that infant formula had higher median concentrations of selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K) compared to rice baby cereal and rice snacks. On the contrary, rice snacks had the highest median concentration of Arsenic (As) (127 μg/kg) while rice baby cereals showed the highest median concentration of Cd (7 μg/kg). A higher lifetime estimated daily intake was observed for samples manufactured in the USA compared to those from China and other countries. Hazard quotient (HQ<1) values were suggestive of minimal adverse health effects...
Source: Food and Chemical Toxicology - Category: Food Science Authors: Source Type: research