Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

LIVE: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)
Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry
Published in: European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry 6/2020

01-12-2020 | Original Scientific Article

Fluoride concentration of commercially available infant formulae in the United Arab Emirates

Authors: Y. Agha, M. Kowash, I. Hussein, A. AlSalami, M. Al-Halabi

Published in: European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry | Issue 6/2020

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

To assess fluoride concentration in infant formulae commercially available in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and compare the measured levels of fluoride to the reported ones on the label.

Methods

Twenty-four different infant formula samples collected from retailers in the UAE market were tested for the fluoride content using ion-selective electrode method. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Mann–Whitney test. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The mean fluoride content of baby formula samples collected was 0.19 ppm (range 0–0.4 ppm). All tested samples of formulae were manufactured outside the UAE. Following the daily recommended manufacturer’s preparation guidelines, tested formulae had a range of 0–0.35 mg of fluoride per day, a concentration below the average daily recommended fluoride intake for a 6-month-old infant with an average weight of 7.2–8 kg (0.36–0.42 mg fluoride). Out of the 11 samples where the fluoride content was mentioned on the label, only two were verified to have a somewhat accurate reported concentration when comparing the concentration mentioned on the label with our test results. Out of the 13 samples with no fluoride concentration mentioned on the label, three were found to have no fluoride (Neocate, Isomil, Aptamil), while the remainder (10) contained fluoride with a range of (0.1–0.4 ppm).

Conclusions

All the UAE available infant formulae tested had lower than the maximum daily recommended dosage of fluoride. Many labeling inaccuracies were observed. Accurate labeling guidelines are recommended.
Literature
Adair SM, Bowen WH, Burt BA, Kumar JV, Levy SM, Pendrys DG, Rozier G, Selwitz RH, Stamm JW, Stookey GK, Whitford GM. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations for using fluoride to prevent and control dental caries in the United States. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2001;51:1–42.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on nutrition, fluoride supplementation. Pediatics. 1986;77(5):758–61.
Atac A, Altay N, Olmez S. Fluoride content of infant formulas and market milk in Turkey. Turk J Pediatr. 2001;43:102–4.PubMed
Berg J, Gerweck C, Hujoel PP, et al. Evidence-based clinical recommendations regarding fluoride intake from reconstituted infant formula and enamel fluorosis. J Am Dent Assoc. 2011;142(1):79–87.PubMedCrossRef
Buzalaf MAR, Whitford GM, Cury JA. Fluoride exposures and dental fluorosis: a literature review. Rev Fac Odontol Bauru. 2001a;9(1):1–10.
Buzalaf MAR, Granjeiro JM, Damante CA, De Ornelas F. Fluoride content of infant formulas prepared with deionized, bottled mineral and fluoridated drinking water. J Dent Child. 2001b;68:37–41.
Buzalaf MAR, Damante A, Trevizani LMM, Granjeiro JM. Risk of fluorosis associated with infant formulas prepared with bottled water. J Dent Child. 2004;71:110–3.
Buzalaf MAR, Levy SM. Fluoride intake of children: considerations for dental caries and dental fluorosis. J Am Dent Assoc. 2007;127:895–2. Monogr Oral Sci. 2011;22:1–19.
Clifford H, Olszowy H, Young M, Hegarty J, Cross M. Fluoride content of powdered infant formula meets Australian Food Safety Standards. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2009;33:573–6.PubMedCrossRef
Cressey P. Dietary fluoride intake for fully formula-fed infants in New Zealand: impact of formula and water fluoride. J Public Health Dent. 2010;70:285–91.PubMedCrossRef
Fomon SJ, Ekstrand J, Ziegler EE. Fluoride intake and prevalence of dental fluorosis: trends in fluoride intake with special attention to infants. J Public Health Dent. 2000;60(3):131–9.PubMedCrossRef
Forrester OJ, Schultz EM. Proceedings of the international workshop on fluorides and dental caries reduction. School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland. 1974.
Grummer-Strawn LM, Shealy KR. Progress in protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding: 1984–2009. Breastfeed Med. 2009;4(1):31–9.CrossRef
Halabi M. Current guidelines for the use of fluoride in pediatric dentistry. Applied clinical research. Clin Trials Regul Affairs. 2014;1(3):1–10.
Heilman JR, Kiristy MG, Levy SM, Wefel JS. Fluoride concentrations of infant foods. J Am Dent Assoc. 1997;128(7):857–63.PubMedCrossRef
Hossein A, Ghanbarian M, Ghanbarian M, Khosravi A, Ghanbarian M. Determination of fluoride concentration in powdered milk in Iran. Br J Nutr. 2012;107:077–9.CrossRef
Hujoel PP, Zina LG, Moimaz SA, Cunha-Cruz J. Infant formula and enamel fluorosis: a systematic review. J Am Dent Assoc. 2009;140(7):841–54.PubMedCrossRef
Ismail AI, Hasson H. Fluoride supplements, dental caries and fluorosis: a systematic review. J Am Dent Assoc. 2008;139:1457–68.PubMedCrossRef
Johnson J, Bawden JW. The fluoride content of infant formulas available in 1985. Pediatr Dent. 1987;9:33–7.PubMed
Koparal E, Ertugrul F, Oztekin K. Fluoride levels in breast milk and infant foods. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2000;24(4):299–302.PubMedCrossRef
Levy SM, Warren JJ, Davis CS, Kirchner HL, Kanellis MJ, Wefel JS. Patterns of fluoride intake from birth to 36 months. J Public Health Dent. 2001;61:70–7.PubMedCrossRef
Martínez-Mier E, Soto-Rojas A, Buckley C, Margineda J, Zero D. Evaluation of the direct and diffusion methods for the determination of fluoride content in table salt. Community Dent Health. 2009;26(4):204–10.PubMedPubMedCentral
McKnight-Hanes MC, Leverett DH, Adair SM, Shields CP. Fluoride content of infant formulas: soy-based formulas as a potential factor in dental fluorosis. Pediatr Dent. 1988;10:189–94.PubMed
Nagata ME, Delbem AC, Kondo KY, de Castro LP, Hall KB, Percinoto C, Aguiar SM, Pessan JP. Fluoride concentrations of milk, infant formulae, and soy-based products commercially available in Brazil. J Public Health Dent. 2015;76(2):32–9.
Pagliari AV, Moimaz SAS, Saliba O, Delbem ACB, Sassaki KT. Analysis of fluoride concentration in mother’s milk substitutes. Braz Oral Res. 2006;20:269–74.PubMedCrossRef
Nohno K, Zohoori FV, Maguire A. Fluoride intake of Japanese infants from infant milk formula. Caries Res. 2011;45:486–93.PubMedCrossRef
Pendrys DG, Haugejorden O, Bardsen A, Wang NJ, Gustavsen F. The risk of enamel fluorosis and caries among Norwegian children: implications for Norway and the United States. J Am Dent Assoc. 2010;141:401–14.PubMedCrossRef
Siew C, Strock S, Ristic H, et al. Assessing a potential risk factor for enamel fluorosis: a preliminary evaluation of fluoride content in infant formulas. J Am Dent Assoc. 2009;140(10):1228–36.PubMedCrossRef
Silva M, Reynolds EC. Fluoride content of infant formulae in Australia. Aust Dent J. 1996;41:37–42.PubMedCrossRef
Spencer AJ, Do LG. Changing risk factors for fluorosis among South Australian children. Commun Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2008;36:210–8.CrossRef
Tomori T, Koga H, Maki Y, Takaesu Y. Fluoride analysis of foods for infants and estimation of daily fluoride intake. Bull Tokyo Dent Coll. 2004;45:19–32.PubMedCrossRef
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Panel on Community Water Fluoridation. U.S. Public Health Service recommendation for fluoride concentration in drinking water for the prevention of dental caries. Public Health Rep. 2015;130(4):1–14.CrossRef
Van Winkle S, Levy SM, Kiritsy MC, Heilman JR, Wefel JS, Marshall T. Water and formula fluoride concentrations: significance for infants fed formula. Pediatr Dent. 1995;17:305–10.PubMed
Vannoort R, Cressey P. Assessment of selected pesticides and the elements cadmium, lead, tin, iodine and fluoride in infant formulae and weaning foods Christchurch: ESR. Report No.: ESR Client Report FW97/01. 1997.
Venturini CQ, Frazao P. Fluoride concentration in bottle water. Cad Saúde Clet. 2015;23(4):460–7.CrossRef
Vlachou A, Drummond BK, Curzon ME. Fluoride concentrations of infant foods and drinks in the United Kingdom. Caries Res. 1992;26:29–32.PubMedCrossRef
Walia T, Abu Fanas S, Akbar M, Eddin J, Adnan M. Estimation of fluoride concentration in drinking water and common beverages in United Arab Emirates. Saudi Dent J. 2017;29(3):117–22.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
Zohoori FV, Moynihan PJ, Omid N, Abuhaloob L, Maguire A. Impact of water fluoride concentration on the fluoride content of infant foods and drinks requiring preparation with liquids before feeding. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2012;40(5):432–40.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Fluoride concentration of commercially available infant formulae in the United Arab Emirates
Authors
Y. Agha
M. Kowash
I. Hussein
A. AlSalami
M. Al-Halabi
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 1818-6300
Electronic ISSN: 1996-9805
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-019-00502-z

Other articles of this Issue 6/2020

European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry 6/2020 Go to the issue

Original Scientific Article

Clinical evaluation of instrumentation time and quality of obturation using paediatric hand and rotary file systems with conventional hand K-files for pulpectomy in primary mandibular molars: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Scientific Abstracts of the 15th Congress of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD), Hamburg, Germany July 3–4, 2020

Original Scientific Article

Prevalence of hypomineralised second primary molars (HSPM) in Syrian preschool children

Original Scientific Article

A questionnaire study on perception and clinical management of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) by Irish dentists

Original Scientific Article

Attitudes of EAPD members toward using the “knee-to-knee” position

Original Scientific Article

In vitro inhibitory effect of two commercial probiotics on chromogenic actinomycetes