Kazi et al. 2009 — Toxic Elements In Infant Formulae
Summary
This study measured Al, Cd, and Pb in imported milk-based and soy-based infant formulae purchased in Pakistan during 2005-2006. It is useful for Category 1 because it directly compares milk-based and soy-based formula powders and reports product-level Table 3 values.
Key numbers
- The pasted methods text says the study analyzed 17 imported formula samples described as 11 milk-based formulae and 6 soy-based formulae, but the pasted Table 3 lists 13 IMF rows and 4 ISF rows; this internal count conflict should be checked against the PDF image before standards math.
- From the pasted Table 3 rows, milk-based formula values were Al mean 1018.5 ug/kg and range 640-1520 ug/kg, Cd mean 7.86 ug/kg and range 4.2-12.3 ug/kg, and Pb mean 64.2 ug/kg and range 28.7-97 ug/kg.
- From the pasted Table 3 rows, soy-based formula values were Al mean 2270 ug/kg and range 1740-2720 ug/kg, Cd mean 11.7 ug/kg and range 8.3-14.5 ug/kg, and Pb mean 109.4 ug/kg and range 98.6-119 ug/kg.
- The paper concludes that soy-based formula contained higher average concentrations of Al, Cd, and Pb than milk-based formula.
- The authors estimated infant formula intakes as below the then-cited PTWI values, while still recommending monitoring and control of contaminants in infant formulae.
Category 1 concentration rows
Values are reported on a dried-basis ug/kg basis in the pasted Table 3, which is numerically equivalent to ppb for solids. These are source-scope means and maxima, not p90 values.
| Evidence item | Category 1 fit | N in pasted table | Basis | Mean | Range | Approximate ppb equivalent | Row-fit note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk-based infant formula aluminum | infant-formula-powder-non-soy | 13 | dried powder | 1018.5 ug/kg | 640-1520 ug/kg | mean 1018.5 ppb; max 1520 ppb | Direct milk-based formula powder context; table count conflicts with methods description. |
| Milk-based infant formula cadmium | infant-formula-powder-non-soy | 13 | dried powder | 7.86 ug/kg | 4.2-12.3 ug/kg | mean 7.86 ppb; max 12.3 ppb | Direct milk-based formula powder context; no benchmark percentile calculated from this source summary. |
| Milk-based infant formula lead | infant-formula-powder-non-soy | 13 | dried powder | 64.2 ug/kg | 28.7-97 ug/kg | mean 64.2 ppb; max 97 ppb | Direct milk-based formula powder context; no benchmark percentile calculated from this source summary. |
| Soy-based infant formula aluminum | infant-formula-powder-soy-based | 4 | dried powder | 2270 ug/kg | 1740-2720 ug/kg | mean 2270 ppb; max 2720 ppb | Direct soy-based formula powder context; table count conflicts with methods description. |
| Soy-based infant formula cadmium | infant-formula-powder-soy-based | 4 | dried powder | 11.7 ug/kg | 8.3-14.5 ug/kg | mean 11.7 ppb; max 14.5 ppb | Direct soy-based formula powder context; no benchmark percentile calculated from this source summary. |
| Soy-based infant formula lead | infant-formula-powder-soy-based | 4 | dried powder | 109.4 ug/kg | 98.6-119 ug/kg | mean 109.4 ppb; max 119 ppb | Direct soy-based formula powder context; no benchmark percentile calculated from this source summary. |
Ingredient and variance notes
The paper frames soy-based formula as a higher-concentration comparator for Al, Cd, and Pb in this sample set, and discusses soybean accumulation and processing or packaging differences as possible variance drivers. It does not provide a soybean-only ingredient occurrence distribution, so these statements should stay linked to infant-formula-powder-soy-based and soy rather than generalized to all soy ingredients.
Methods (brief)
Samples were digested using microwave-induced acid digestion and analyzed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Certified reference material and standard-addition checks were used to validate the method.
Limitations
The source reports imported formulae available in Pakistan during 2005-2006. The values are relevant to the formula evidence pool, with jurisdiction and period retained as metadata for aggregate evidence review. The pasted source text contains an internal subgroup-count mismatch: the methods description says 11 IMF and 6 ISF, while Table 3 lists 13 IMF and 4 ISF rows. The table values should be image-checked before being admitted into a final standards calculation.
Implications
Certification: Useful for formula powder distributions, especially soy/non-soy comparison.
Courses: Useful example of geographic-market context and why jurisdiction weighting matters.
App: Supports soy formula and powder formula risk cues when paired with jurisdiction metadata.
Microbiome: No direct microbiome endpoint.