Overview
This 2020 Chinese study measured chromium, total arsenic, cadmium, and lead in 93 cow milk-based infant formula samples across four developmental stages from the Beijing market. ICP-MS analysis; wet weight basis. All samples were powdered formula; concentrations reported as-purchased. The study found no significant difference between domestic and imported brands.
Key numbers
All concentrations in µg/kg wet weight (as-sold powder), ICP-MS; n=93 total.
| Metal | Mean ± SD (µg/kg) | Range (µg/kg) | LOD (µg/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cr | 27.38 ± 14.20 | 2.51–83.80 | 2.0 |
| tAs | 3.32 ± 1.55 | 0.89–7.87 | 0.5 |
| Cd | 0.98 ± 0.77 | 0.13–3.58 | 0.1 |
| Pb | 2.03 ± 1.10 | 0.36–5.75 | 0.2 |
By stage: no significant differences across stages 1–4 for any metal (p>0.05). By origin: Cd slightly lower in domestic vs imported (0.77±0.75 vs 1.08±0.77 µg/kg, p>0.05, not significant).
EDI estimates (µg/kg bw/day) for 0.5–5 year-olds:
| Metal | EDI range |
|---|---|
| tAs | 0.008–0.031 |
| Pb | 0.0061–0.0170 |
| Cr | 0.073–0.278 |
| Cd | 0.0025–0.0090 |
All THQ <1; Hazard Index (HI) 0.055–0.209.
Methods
ICP-MS; acid digestion. All 93 samples detected for all four metals. Wet weight basis. Note: Cr reported as total chromium; paper does not speciate Cr-VI.
Implications
Certification: tAs (mean 3.32 µg/kg) and Pb (mean 2.03 µg/kg) in Chinese cow-milk formula are well below EU ML for infant formula (As: no specific ML for formula in China as of 2020; Pb: 20 µg/kg under GB 10765-2010). Cr values (mean 27.38 µg/kg) are total chromium, not Cr-VI; do not apply Cr-VI HMT&C limits to these values.
App: Cow milk-based formula from Chinese market: low-normal range for tAs and Pb; Cr elevated relative to other studies but total Cr, not Cr-VI.
Related evidence
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