Determination of Aluminum and Zinc in Infant Formulas and Infant Foods

Seven different infant formulas and 18 different types of infant foods representative of infant diets in Italy were analyzed to gain further information about the composition of infant diets, with particular reference to Al and Zn intake. After a microwave mineralization pretreatment, Al concentrations in the digested solutions were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and Zn concentrations by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Soy-based infant formulas have markedly higher Al values (7 and 7.8 μg/g) than milk-based formulas (3–3.5 μg/g), while even higher values are found in formulas based on hydrolyzed protein (13 and 17 μg/g). Values for Zn vary much more, and in only 1 sample was the Zn content (13 μg/g) below that stipulated under EEC norms. In infant foods the Al and Zn contents vary widely from sample to sample, depending on their different compositions. Of the beverages, those based on tea have the highest Al content.