Nutrient exploration and heavy metal risk assessment of baby milk and infant formulae sold within Umuahia metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract Naturally, neonates as well as infants in the society are the most susceptible health effects of malnutrition and heavy metal risks due to their inevitable rapid development of their organs and tissues for proper growth. It is therefore critical to investigate the conformity of their foods and formulae to the regulatory standard limits to avert the associated risks. This work hence focused on the evaluation of proximate, mineral and heavy metals concentrations (risk factor) in Baby and Infant Formulae sold within Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Eight different Baby Milk and twelve Infant Formulae samples from different manufacturers were procured and analysed for their nutrient and heavy metal compositions using standard methods. Results of proximate (%) analysis showed the ranges as: moisture content (MC) (3.24–6.56), ash (2.42–2.65), fibre (0.00–0.00), fat (11.32–28.68), protein (1152 − 16.20) and carbohydrate (50.52–69.27) for Baby Milk. For Infant Formulae, the ranges include MC (7.89–9.29), ash (1.35–2.99), fibre (0.19–6.49), fat (0.47–9.75), protein (2.92–20.88) and carbohydrate (52.21–84.91). Carbohydrate had superior value as ranked: carbohydrate > fat > Protein > Moisture > ash > fibre in Baby Milk and carbohydrate > protein > MC > fat > ash > fibre for Infant Formulae. Baby milk minerals (mg/kg) ranged as: lead (0.07–0.14), zinc (2.80-24.03), iron (30.00-42.01), manganese (0.19–1.24), nickel (0.03–0.26), cupper (0.06–0.31), cadmium (0.01–0.21) and chromium (0.00-0.210). While Infant Milk ranged as: lead (0.00-0.015), zinc (1.38–6.87), iron (2.2–14.8), manganese (0-153-2.430), nickel (0-003-0.04), cupper (0.23–0.83), cadmium (0.01–0.04) and chromium (0.000-0.006). In Baby Milk, the macro-minerals ranked thus: P > Ca > Mg > K > Na while the Infant Formula ranked as Mg > Ca > K > P > Na. The micro-minerals of both samples ranked same as: Fe > Zn > Mn. Heavy metal risk assessment showed that only cadmium and chromium (< 0.2–0.3) posed health risk in some Baby Milk samples unlike infant Formula. Most foods contain adequate nutrients without risk, but regular checks at intervals is required during their manufacturing by the regulatory agencies to avoid possible potential heavy metal risk factor and malnutrition among babies and infants.