Dioxins in commercial United States baby food.

This is the first known study of dioxins, dibenzofurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in commercial American bottled baby foods purchased in the United States. Dioxins, persistent chlorinated organics, are inadvertent by-products of chemical synthesis or combustion and are toxic to humans and other animals. Almost all dioxins enter the body through food consumption, specifically from food products containing animal fat. Major-brand bottled baby food containing meat was purchased at U.S. supermarkets and 12 pooled samples were analyzed for dioxins using high-resolution gas chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Low levels of dioxins were found in these products. The range was from 28 to 226 parts per quadrillion (ppq) dioxin toxic equivalents (TEQ). This is reported on a whole or wet weight (as eaten) basis. As a comparison, findings of dioxins in U.S. supermarket meat ranged from 28 to 540 ppq. Although dioxin levels are generally lower in these baby foods than in meat or poultry, the presence of dioxins in commercial baby food containing meat is cause for concern.