Occurrence of heavy metals in biscuit-type commercial infant food and their associated health risk to consumer in Klang Valley

Mohd Ridzal, Nur Natasha Bellinda (2024) Occurrence of heavy metals in biscuit-type commercial infant food and their associated health risk to consumer in Klang Valley. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Infants are highly vulnerable due to their rapid gastrointestinal tract's ability to absorb substances, making them susceptible to harmful substances. Biscuittype commercial infant foods (CIFs) have been popular due to their convenience, timesaving qualities, and perceived safety. However, food security is threatened by heavy metals in food crops, which vary between developing and industrialized nations. Infants are particularly vulnerable to environmental toxins due to their unique physiological development and higher absorption rate. Objectives: The study aims to determine the concentration of heavy metals (chromium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) in biscuit-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 was given to the caretaker of respondents, and seven biscuit-type CIFs were purchased based on the outcome of the survey. The heavy metals were extracted from the biscuit samples by heat-block-assisted digestion and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results and Discussion: The concentration of arsenic, chromium, cadmium, lead, and mercury in biscuit-type CIF ranged from 0.000587 mg/kg - 0.0152 mg/kg, 0.129 mg/kg - 0.326 mg/kg, 0.00337 mg/kg - 0.00751 mg/kg, 0.00336 mg/kg - 0.0191 mg/kg, 0.000226 mg/kg - 0.000791 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 biscuit-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: Biscuit-type CIFs should be monitored and regulated to ensure their safety, especially for vulnerable populations like infants. Keywords: Heavy metals, Biscuit, Commercial infant foods (CIFs), Health risk, Klang Valley

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	30 Apr 2025 02:48
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2025 02:48
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2402

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