Overview
This 2019 Nigerian study measured Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Co (essential trace metals) in 26 commercial infant formula brands from Port Harcourt, assessing nutritional adequacy. Note: only essential trace metals measured; no toxic metals (Pb, Cd, As) reported. Cr reported as total chromium.
Key numbers
Milk-based infant formula (n=9, dry weight, mg/kg):
| Metal | Mean ± SD | Range | LOD (ppm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cr (total) | 0.61 ± 0.70 | 0.06–2.08 | 0.005 |
| Fe | 4.08 ± 1.95 | 2.01–8.02 | 0.010 |
| Zn | 6.71 ± 2.10 | 4.58–10.41 | 0.060 |
| Mn | 0.15 ± 0.09 | 0.04–0.34 | 0.005 |
| Co | 0.12 ± 0.32 | 0.002–0.96 | 0.005 |
Methods
AAS or ICP (not specified in excerpt). Dry weight basis. n=26 brands total; milk-based n=9.
Note: Cr reported as total chromium. HMT&C analyte for Cr is Cr-VI (hexavalent chromium), which requires separate speciation. Total Cr in infant formula (mean 0.61 mg/kg = 610 µg/kg) cannot be compared to Cr-VI limits; the vast majority of Cr in formula is likely Cr(III) from milk/lactose, not Cr(VI). Flag but do not apply HMT&C Cr-VI thresholds to these total Cr values.
Implications
Certification: Total Cr data cannot inform Cr-VI thresholds. Fe and Zn are within expected supplemented formula ranges.
Related evidence
Update history
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