Lead, cadmium and aluminum in Canadian infant formulae, oral electrolytes and glucose solutions

Abstract

Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and aluminum (Al) were determined in 437 individual samples of infant formulae, oral electrolytes and 5% glucose solutions available in Canada. In the electrolytes, Cd and Pb concentrations were all below 0.01 and 0.041 ng g-1, respectively. In the 5% glucose solutions, Pb and Cd levels averaged 0.01 and 0.09 ng g-1, respectively. Reported on an as-consumed basis, Pb levels in milk- and soya-based formulae averaged 0.90 and 1.45 ng g-1, respectively, while Cd levels averaged 0.23 and 1.18 ng g-1, respectively Average Al levels on an as-consumed basis were 440 ng g-1 (range 10-3400 ng g-1) in milk-based formulae and 730 ng g-1 (range 230-1100 ng g-1) in soy-based formulae. Al concentrations increased in the following order: plain formula