Appropriateness of Essentials Trace Metals in Commonly Consumed Infant Formulae in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Mothers who feed their children with infant food have increased have over the years leaving a large percentage of children who consume other types of liquid food for supplementation or as alternatives. AIM: Determining the levels of essential trace metals in these formulae with the aim of ascertain their appropriateness is considered important. METHODS: Iron, zinc, manganese, chromium and cobalt in 26 infant formulae purchased from Port Harcourt city, Nigeria were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The estimated daily intake EDI and percentage of EDI to the recommended daily allowance of these essential trace metals were used in the exposure assessment. RESULTS: The highest mean concentration of Mn, Cr and Co was found in the milk based (0.15 ± 0.09 mg/kg), (0.61 ± 0.70 mg/kg), (0.12 ± 0.32 mg/kg) compared to the cereal based and cereal mix based but the differences was also not significant. The EDI of chromium in the infant formulae exceeded the RDA. CONCLUSION: Infant formulae may add to the chromium body burden of infants in Nigeria.