Health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in minerals-fortified milk and young child formula in Brazil

Exposure to potentially toxic elements above certain limits can cause adverse effects on human health, with young children being the most vulnerable. Then, the aim of this study was to determine, by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the concentration of potentially toxic elements (Al, As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sn, Ti, and U) in minerals-fortified milk (MFM) and young child formula (YCF) commercialized in Brazil and recommended for children aged 1–3 years. High concentrations (mg kg⁻¹) were found in MFM and YCF, respectively, for Ti (21.1–23.7 and 8.62–25.7), Al (0.59–4.69 and 0.23–4.92), and Ni (0.66–2.89 and 1.09–1.59). Total As concentrations varied from 0.02 to 0.07 mg kg⁻¹, Pb, Sn, Cd, and U were present at low concentrations and Hg was not detected in any sample. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and the target carcinogenic risk (TCR) were also determined, and almost all the THQ values were found below 1, except for Ni, indicating potential risk to children in two of the brands analyzed. The concentrations determined for total As were worrying because, if it was inorganic form, all analyzed samples would represent health and cancer risk, indicating the urgent need for updated protocols for As speciation and food monitoring in the Brazilian market. Thus, controlling the processing and increasing the monitoring of these products is essential to avoid adverse effects on children’s health in the short and long term.