Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in infant formulae, follow-on formulae and baby foods available in the Polish market

The levels of 4 compounds from the group of light PAHs listed by the US EPA and 15 PAHs listed by the EU Scientific Committee on Food were determined in commercially available infant formulae, follow-on formulae and baby foods. PAHs determination was performed by high-pressure liquid chromatography with selective detectors (HPLC–FLD/DAD) and confirmed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Similar quality profiles of PAHs, with light PAHs being predominant, were found. Total content of 19 PAHs varied from 0.28 to 7.45 μg/kg. In most analyzed products, none of the 15 PAHs was detected, while benzo[a]pyrene was only detected in two kinds of soups at much lower levels than the maximum tolerable limit (1 μg/kg) stated in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006.