Chronchol et al. 2026 — Trace Elements in Dairy-Free Infant Porridges, Poland
This 2026 study measured Pb, Cd, and Hg in 105 samples of commercial dairy-free infant porridges (7 product types, 5 replicates, 3 batches) from the Polish market. Methods: ICP-AES for Pb and Cd; Hg-AAS for mercury. Wet weight basis.
Key numbers
All concentrations wet weight (mg/kg). LOQs: Pb 3.37 µg/kg (0.00337 mg/kg); Cd 0.31 µg/kg; Hg 0.23 µg/kg.
| Metal | Range (mg/kg) | Units equivalence |
|---|---|---|
| Pb | 0.002–0.004 | 2–4 µg/kg |
| Cd | <0.001–0.003 | <1–3 µg/kg |
| tHg | <0.001–0.001 | <1 µg/kg |
All estimated daily intakes (EDI) were below 0.01 µg/kg bw/day for all three metals. All samples within applicable EU limits.
Methods
ICP-AES (Pb, Cd); Hg-AAS (Hg). 7 product types × 5 replicates × 3 batches. LOQ values stated above; many samples at or near LOQ especially for Cd and Hg.
Note: Values near LOQ limit interpretability. Pb 2–4 µg/kg and Cd <1–3 µg/kg are consistent with low-contamination grain-based infant foods.
Implications
Certification: Dairy-free infant porridges at 2–4 µg/kg Pb and <1–3 µg/kg Cd are well below EU MLs (Pb: 20 µg/kg for processed cereal-based foods, Cd: 40 µg/kg). These products represent a relatively clean subcategory of grain-based infant foods.
App: Grain-based dairy-free porridges: low Pb and Cd; Hg below detection.