Analysis Of Heavy Metals in Five Different Baby Foods.
Abstract
A of five samples of baby foods were analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer for the presence of Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, and As.
All the were compared with the from their label and proposed guideline published by in 2013 ( see Table 4.1.2)Pb and As were not detected.
The five samples, A to E contain the highest amount of Cu (141.6, 174.0, 207.7, 136.9, 132.0mg/kg) respectively, which is a traced element and it is within the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 50 to 500mg/kg set by WHO.
Cr was only detected in only three samples, A B and C (6.4,6.3,10.0mg/kg) respectively, and it below the provisional tolerable monthly intake of 25mg/kg set by WHO.
Cd was detected in all the five samples A, B, C, D ,E ( 3.9,3.2,2.2,3.0,4.9mg/kg) respectively and it is below the provisional tolerable monthly intake of 25mg/kg set by WHO.
The result of this study shows that baby food products samples sourced from the Eke-Awka market are adequate in essential elements of copper, and toxic heavy elements of Cd and Cr are within safety limits permissible by WHO. Pb and As which are very toxic were not detected at all.
INTRODUCTION
Brief Introduction
Baby food is any soft, easily consumed food, other than breast milk and infant formula that is made specifically for babies, roughly between the ages of four to six months and two years (WHO, 2011).
The food comes in multiple varieties and tastes; it may be table food that the rest of the family is eating that has been mashed or otherwise broken down, or it can be purchased ready-made from producers.
As of 2011, the world health organization, UNICEF, and many National health agencies recommended waiting until six months of age before starting a child on food.
Individual babies may differ from this guideline given when the child is developmentally ready to eat. Signs of readiness include the ability to sit without help, loss of tongue thrust, and the display of active interest in food that others are eating.
As a global public health recommendation, the world health organization recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development, and health.
Most six-month-old infants are physiologically and developmentally ready for new foods, textures, and modes of feeding.
Experts advising the world health assembly have provided evidence that introducing solids earlier than six months increases babies’ chances of illness, without improving growth.
One of the concerns associated with the introduction of solid foods before six months is Iron deficiency. The early introduction of complementary foods may satisfy the hunger of the infant, resulting in less frequent breastfeeding and ultimately less milk production for the mother.
Because iron absorption from human milk is depressed when the milk is in contact with other foods in the proximal small bowel, early use of compulsory foods may increase the risk of iron depletion and anaemia.
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