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Essential and Toxic Elements in Cereal-Based Complementary Foods for Children: Concentrations, Intake Estimates, and Health Risk Assessment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Cereal-based complementary foods are widely consumed by children, yet limited data exist on their elemental composition and potential health risks. This study quantified As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mg, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Se, Si, V, and Zn in eight commercial cereal-based products collected in Campo Grande, Brazil, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, and chromium were consistently below the detection limit. Phosphorus and potassium were the predominant elements across brands, followed by Fe, Mg, and Zn, with significant inter-brand variability (Kruskal–Wallis, p < 0.05). Lead was detected in Brands 1–5 (0.11–0.41 mg/kg), but it was below the limit of detection (LOD = 0.003 mg/L) in the other samples. Estimated daily intake (DI) values at 30 g/day and 90 g/day showed that Fe, Zn, Mn, and Se frequently met or exceeded dietary reference intakes for children aged 1–3 years, while Cu, Ni, and P remained below tolerable levels. Comparison with tolerable upper intake levels and ATSDR minimal risk levels indicated that higher consumption (90 g/day) could result in excess intake of Mn, Zn, and Se, with Pb contributing to cumulative hazard indices above the safety threshold (HI > 1). These findings emphasize the dual role of cereal-based foods as important nutrient sources and potential contributors to excessive trace element exposure in young children.

Source: Sci

DOI: 10.3390/sci7040164

Authors: Ana Claudia Rocha Gerônimo, Elaine Silva de Pádua Melo, Regiane Santana da Conceição Ferreira Cabanha, Marta Aratuza Pereira Ancel, Valter Aragão do Nascimento

Institutions: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul

Language: English

Topic: Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,448