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Based on FSA approved sampling plans drawn up by Ventress Technical Services and Leatherhead Food International, and constructed to reflect factors such as market share, leading brands, popular product categories and intended age range, the following products were investigated for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content: 106 baby food samples collected from 2 UK regions during May and June 2003, 96 samples of infant formulae collected from 6 UK regions during April and May 2003 and 5 ready to feed infant formulae samples collected during September 2004. <P>
They were analysed for the following 15 PAHs prioritised by the Scientific committee on Food (SCF); benz(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(j)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, cyclopenta(c,d)pyrene, indeno(123cd)pyrene, dibenzo(ah)anthracene, benzo(ghi)perylene, dibenzo(al)pyrene, dibenzo(ae)pyrene, dibenzo(ai)pyrene, dibenzo(ah)pyrene, and the metabolite, 5-methylchrysene
The range of benzo[a]pyrene results for each of infant formulae and baby food groups is given below:
<P>
Infant Formulae (benzo[a]pyrene ug/kg product as sold) min: <0.01 max: 0.18
<BR> Baby Food (benzo[a]pyrene ug/kg product as sold) min: <0.01 max: f1.01<P>
Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.