Alharbi et al. 2023 — Heavy Metals in Baby Foods, Saudi Arabia
This 2023 study from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) reports As, Cd, and Pb concentrations from the 2020 national food monitoring program (NFMP) in 111 baby food products across four categories. ICP-MS (Agilent 7700 with helium CCT) measured As, Cd, and Pb; microwave acid digestion; LODs: As 0.70 µg/L, Cd 0.90 µg/L, Pb 6.90 µg/L (in solution). Left-censored data handled by LB/MB/UB approach (Codex CCCF method). All concentrations in µg/kg dry weight.
Key numbers
Mean concentrations by food category (middle bound, µg/kg dry weight):
| Category | n | As mean ± SD | Cd mean ± SD | Pb mean ± SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 infant formula (0–6 mo) | 39 | lowest group | lowest group | — |
| Stage 2 infant formula (7–12 mo) | 22 | — | 1.47 ± 1.63 | — |
| Cereal-based meals | 33 | 15.5 ± 35.8 | 5.18 ± 6.16 | 35.2 ± 55.7 |
| Biscuits | 17 | 11.1 ± 15.9 | 8.76 ± 5.56 | 53.8 ± 68.6 |
Ranges reported (MB approach) by category:
- Stage 1 formula: As 0.35–15.0; Cd 0.50–60.0; Pb 3.80–119 µg/kg
- Stage 2 formula: As 0.35–8.20; Cd 0.50–7.30; Pb 3.80–104 µg/kg
- Cereal-based meals: As 0.35–179; Cd 0.50–28.0; Pb 3.80–255 µg/kg
- Biscuits: As 0.35–53.0; Cd 0.50–21.9; Pb 3.80–223 µg/kg
Cereal-based meals and biscuits had significantly higher Cd than infant formula (Kruskal-Wallis p<0.001). No significant difference between As and Pb across food groups (As p=0.120, Pb p=0.091 for MB approach).
Estimated daily intake (EDI) based on label-recommended consumption:
Stage 1 (0–6 mo, formula only): As 0.05–0.07, Cd 0.06–0.10, Pb 0.21–0.50 µg/kg bw/day (LB–UB). Stage 2 diet (7–12 mo, formula + cereals + biscuits): As 0.04–0.06, Cd 0.01–0.02, Pb 0.10–0.21 µg/kg bw/day (LB–UB).
All THQ <1, HI <1 for As and Cd. Pb MOE based on EFSA BMDL01 of 0.50 µg/kg bw/day: EDI for 0–6 mo approaches BMDL at UB estimate (0.50 µg/kg bw/day).
Methods
ICP-MS; microwave acid digestion (Milestone ultraCLAVE); LOD As 0.70, Cd 0.90, Pb 6.90 µg/L in solution (LOQ As 2.40, Cd 3.00, Pb 23 µg/L). Validated to EN 15763/EN 13804:2013. Note: LOQ for Pb at 23 µg/L in solution is relatively high; many lower-concentration formula samples may report at LOQ or below.
Implications
Certification: Stage 1 formula shows lower metal concentrations than cereals and biscuits; Pb EDI approaches BMDL01 at upper-bound consumption scenario. Cereal-based baby foods (rice/wheat) contribute disproportionate Cd and Pb relative to formula alone.
Courses: First Saudi national-monitoring-program data on baby food metals; useful regional context for Middle East.
App: Cereal-based meals flagged for Pb and Cd; stage 1 formula relatively clean for As.