Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. 
Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. What was studied?
The study conducted by Zmudzińska et al. critically assessed the health safety of ready-to-eat products consumed by children aged 0.5–3 years on the Polish market, with a particular focus on the content of toxic elements: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb). The research aimed to estimate the concentrations of these heavy metals in a broad spectrum of commercially available baby foods and to evaluate the health risks associated with their consumption by Polish infants and toddlers. Using rigorous laboratory methods, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for As, Cd, and Pb, and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for Hg, the team analyzed 397 samples spanning dinners, porridges, mousses, snacks, drinks, and dairy products. In addition to quantifying heavy metal content, they calculated exposure and risk assessment indicators including estimated daily intake (EDI), estimated weekly intake (EWI), provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI), benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR), comparing results with EU standards.
Who was studied?
This research did not directly study individual children; rather, it focused on analyzing products intended for consumption by infants and young children aged 0.5–3 years. The sample set was representative of the Polish market, encompassing a wide range of baby foods available in both physical and online stores in north-eastern Poland. The products were sourced from prominent manufacturers (e.g., Nestle, Nutricia, Hipp, Humana, Holle, Helpa) and included both foods specifically marketed for children under three and conventional dairy products frequently consumed by this age group. The study’s exposure and risk calculations were based on average consumption and body weight data for Polish children in the target age bracket, ensuring the findings are relevant for the population most at risk from dietary heavy metal exposure.
Most important findings
| Critical Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Heavy metal concentrations | The average content across all products was As: 1.41 ± 0.25 μg/kg, Cd: 2.08 ± 0.15 μg/kg, Hg: 3.16 ± 0.16 μg/kg, Pb: 9.27 ± 0.44 μg/kg. Maximum values per product type included As in rice-based snacks (84.71 μg/kg), Cd in fish dinners (20.15 μg/kg), Hg in poultry dinners (37.25 μg/kg), Pb in fruit mousse (138.99 μg/kg). 69 samples were below the detection limit for As. Most products were below EU regulatory limits, but some exceedances were observed. |
| Regulatory exceedances and risk | 1.5% of samples exceeded the limit for Hg, and 4.53% for Pb. No As or Cd samples surpassed their respective regulatory thresholds. Exceedances for Pb were most frequent in drinks and snacks. In total, 18 samples exceeded daily Pb limits and 6 samples exceeded Hg limits. Daily and weekly intake indicators (EDI, EWI, PTWI, BMDL) were not surpassed for any element, and the THQ and cancer risk (CR) indices indicated low risk. |
| Variation by product and age group | Fish-based products and rice-containing snacks showed the highest levels of Cd and As, respectively. Gluten-free porridges and wafers/chips were also high in As. Drinks showed unexpectedly high Cd, possibly due to water contamination. The highest heavy metal means for As, Cd, and Hg were observed in products intended for children 6–12 months. Pb was highest in products without age declaration. Significant statistical differences were noted between certain product types and subcategories, especially for As and Pb. |
| Comparison to international studies and implications | The study found generally lower or comparable levels of heavy metals relative to international research, though isolated exceedances for Hg and Pb were present. Polish children’s rice consumption is low, reducing risk from arsenic. Fish-based dinners, especially those with salmon and hake, posed higher Cd and Hg exposure, aligning with global findings on fish as a contaminant source. The majority of products did not pose a health hazard, but monitoring and targeted controls were recommended. |
| Key recommendations for heavy metal certification programs | The findings highlight the need for focused monitoring of rice-based, fish-based, and snack products, as well as drinks, for heavy metal contamination. The results reinforce that while most products are compliant, sporadic exceedances require that certification programs emphasize batch testing and transparency. Special attention should be given to ingredients known for heavy metal accumulation (rice, certain fish, water). |
Key implications
For heavy metal certification programs, this study demonstrates that most ready-to-eat baby products in Poland are within EU safety limits for heavy metals, but sporadic exceedances—especially of Pb and Hg—underscore the need for continuous monitoring and product-specific scrutiny. Certification schemes should prioritize high-risk categories like fish-based meals, rice snacks, and drinks, integrating stringent batch testing and transparent reporting to ensure vulnerable populations, such as infants and toddlers, are protected from even occasional toxic metal exposures.
Citation
Zmudzińska A, Puścion-Jakubik A, Bielecka J, Grabia M, Soroczyńska J, Mielcarek K, Socha K. Health Safety Assessment of Ready-to-Eat Products Consumed by Children Aged 0.5–3 Years on the Polish Market. Nutrients. 2022;14(11):2325. doi:10.3390/nu14112325
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that ranks first on the ATSDR toxic substances list. Inorganic arsenic contaminates water, rice and consumer products, and exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive deficits, low birth weight and cancer. HMTC’s stringent certification applies ALARA principles to protect vulnerable populations.
Cadmium is a persistent heavy metal that accumulates in kidneys and bones. Dietary sources include cereals, cocoa, shellfish and vegetables, while smokers and industrial workers receive higher exposures. Studies link cadmium to kidney dysfunction, bone fractures and cancer.
Mercury (Hg) is a neurotoxic heavy metal found in various consumer products and environmental sources, making it a major public health concern. Its regulation is critical to protect vulnerable populations from long-term health effects, such as neurological impairment and cardiovascular disease. The HMTC program ensures that products meet the highest standards for mercury safety.
Lead is a neurotoxic heavy metal with no safe exposure level. It contaminates food, consumer goods and drinking water, causing cognitive deficits, birth defects and cardiovascular disease. HMTC’s rigorous lead testing applies ALARA principles to protect infants and consumers and to prepare brands for tightening regulations.
