The Evaluation of the Content of Nitrates and Nitrites in Food Products for Infants

Nitrates and nitrites in 27 types of food products for infants from three commercial brands, of normal consumption in the Canary Islands, were determined. The assay of nitrates and nitrites in the solution obtained from the extraction process was undertaken according to the rules of AFNOR. Nitrites were evaluated by means of the Griess response and nitrates were evaluated in the same way after reduction by means of a cadmium column. The highest nitrate levels were observed in foodstuffs, whose principal ingredient was carrot; these levels exceded the maximum level (250 ppm) recommended by the ESPGAN regulation. In general the highest contents of nitrates were found in foodstuffs for infants which contained vegetables. The average values found in Nutriben and Nestle brands, especially in food products containing vegetables as the main ingredient, were higher than the maximum allowed levels of the French regulation.