Heavy metal contamination in formula-type commercial infant food (CIF) and its health risk to consumers in Klang Valley

Syachranie, Ferdy Rasyid (2024) Heavy metal contamination in formula-type commercial infant food (CIF) and its health risk to consumers in Klang Valley. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: The study discusses the significant increase in the quantity of formula- type commercial infant foods aligned with Malaysian and International guidelines, emphasizing their role as valuable supplementary nutrition for infants. However, concerns arise regarding the contamination of these foods with heavy metals, as studies reveal elevated levels exceeding acceptable limits, posing potential health risks to infants. This research underscores the importance of studying heavy metal concentrations in formula-type infant foods to ensure consumer safety, aiming to raise public awareness about potential health hazards and advocate for improved food safety standards. Objectives: This study aims to determine the concentration of heavy metals (chromium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) in formula-type commercial infant food (CIF) and their associated health risk to consumers in Klang Valley. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 413 respondents in Klang Valley. An online questionnaire that was developed manually was given to the mother of infants and seven formula-type commercial infant foods were purchased based on the outcome of the survey. The heavy metals were extracted from the infant formula samples and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: The concentration of chromium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in formula-type CIF ranged from 0.1940 – 0.2980 mg/kg, 0.0018 – 0.0055 mg/kg, 0.0016 – 0.0167 mg/kg, 0.0148 – 0.0308 mg/kg, 0.0005 – 0.0016 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals analyzed in this study were below the permissible limit of Malaysia Food Regulation 1985. The hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) for heavy metals in formula-type CIF were less than one, indicating there was no significant non-carcinogenic health risk of consuming the products. Lifetime cancer risk (LCR) for chromium, arsenic, cadmium, and lead were within the range of 10-6 to 10-4, indicating the carcinogenic health risk of consuming the products was acceptable. Conclusion: although the concentration of heavy metals in formula-type commercial infant foods found to be below the limit and both of the non-carcinogenic risk of HQ and the carcinogenic risk of LCR indicated the values of non-significant risks, but there should be a strict regulation that solely focus on the issue of heavy metal contamination in foods to ensure the food safety of consumers Keywords: Heavy metals, formula-type infant foods, carcinogenic, non- carcinogenic, hazard quotient

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	30 Apr 2025 02:41
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2025 02:41
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2401

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