Trace metals contamination in varieties of cereal-based pediatric foods sold in parts of Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Abstract Dietary intake is a potential route of babies’ exposure to trace metals contamination. Cereal-based pediatric foods on the Ghanaian market can be susceptible to contamination as they are mostly produced on small scales by individuals with little or no knowledge of food safety. This study ascertained trace metals quality of fifty (50) cereal-based pediatric foods composed of: maize, rice, millet, wheat, and mixed cereals from major sales outlets on the Ghanaian market. The samples were acid (HNO3 + H2O2) digested and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Concentration (mg/kg) of trace metals were: 0.87–34.74 (Fe), <0.001­–1.00 (Zn), <0.003–0.92 (Cu), <0.002–0.82 (Cd), <0.001–0.26 (Cr), <0.005–0.23 (Co), <0.001–0.58 (Pb), and <0.001–0.20 (Ni) across samples. Pb and Cd were respectively measured in 22 % and 44 % of samples that were not registered by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA). Concentration of Cd in 10% of samples exceeded the WHO limit by a factor of 8. Calculated hazard indices > 1.0 indicated potential health risk to baby within the studied age groups with cadmium as the predominate cause. This initial findings show that some locally produced cereal-based pediatric foods on the Ghanaian market can present a route of trace metals contamination and therefore warrant periodic investigations to safeguard public health.