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Children's Food Project – Annual Report 2021

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Children's Food Project – Annual Report 2021 (PDF – 1,623 kb)

Summary

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) uses a number of different monitoring programs for chemical residues and contaminants in food to ensure that the food supply is safe and compliant with Canadian standards. The Children's Food Project (CFP) complements these activities by collecting information specifically on chemical residues and contaminants in manufactured foods frequently consumed by, and targeted to, infants and children. Because of their smaller body weight, their development and growth, and their consumption patterns, this group may be at a higher risk from exposure to these chemicals.

The main objectives of the 2021 CFP were to:

Previous years have analyzed pesticides, metal/elements, veterinary drug residues, aflatoxin M1 and environmental contaminants.

In the 2021 CFP, a total number of 294 samples of children's foods were purchased in Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec in October, 2021. These samples included:

There were 291 samples analyzed for pesticide residues and metals/elements, and three samples were analyzed for pesticide residues only.

The overall compliance rate of the children's food samples tested for pesticides was 100%. Of the 294 samples tested, 217 samples did not contain any detectable pesticide residues. Detectable pesticide residues were found in 77 samples and all were compliant with Canadian regulations. The results were evaluated by Health Canada (HC) and determined not to be a safety risk.

Approximately 79.0% (230) of the samples tested (291) did not contain detectable levels of metals/elements of concern (arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury). At the time of this survey, the maximum levels (MLs) for arsenic related to the products tested, included inorganic arsenic in husked (brown) rice (0.35 parts-per-million (ppm)), polished (white) rice (0.2 ppm) and total arsenic in fruit juice (0.1 ppm). The ML for lead in fruit juice is 0.05 ppm. No juice samples tested contained detectable levels of arsenic or lead. The levels of metals/elements found were reviewed by HC and none of the levels were considered a safety risk.

Data obtained from surveillance programs like the CFP are useful in the assessment of the dietary exposure of Canadian children to pesticide residues and metals/elements. All data was reviewed by HC and no health risk was identified to Canadian infants and toddlers in any of the foods tested.

What is the Children's Food Project

The CFP began in 2003 to look at levels of pesticide residues and metals/elements in foods for infants and children. Because of their smaller body weight, their development and growth, and their consumption patterns, this group may be at higher risk from exposure to these chemicals.

The CFIA uses a number of different monitoring programs to ensure that the food supply is safe and compliant with Canadian standards. The CFP complements these activities by specifically collecting information on domestically produced and imported manufactured foods frequently consumed by and targeting children (for example, infant formula, cereal-based products, fruit juices and beverages). Together, the data from these programs help health authorities assess potential exposure to chemical residues and contaminants in a number of foods consumed by Canadian children.

The main objectives of the 2021 CFP were to:

What did we sample

In total, 294 domestic and imported infant foods were sampled from retail stores in Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec in October, 2021. Of the 294 samples, 166 were labelled as organic. Both imported and domestically-produced foods were sampled with 93 products manufactured in Canada, 125 imported from other countries and 76 products from an unknown country of origin.

Table 1: Breakdown of products sampled in 2021
Infant food Number of domestic samples Number of imported samples Number of samples of unspecified origin Table Note a Total number of samples
Fruit and vegetable purees 31 64 30 125
Infant and toddler meals 19 26 8 53
Canned and dry pasta 4 32 12 48
Juice 39 3 26 68
Grand total 93 125 76 294

Sampling limitations

Due to the limited number of samples and products analyzed, care must be taken when interpreting these results. Regional differences, impact of product shelf-life, storage conditions, or cost of the commodity on the open market were not examined in this survey. Samples were tested as sold, which means the product was tested as is and not prepared according to package instructions.

How were samples analyzed and assessed

Analytical testing for the various types of analytes was performed by an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited food testing laboratory under contract with the Government of Canada.

Pesticide analysis

All samples were tested for a range of pesticide residues which are commonly used in farming to control insects, fungus, and weeds. A summary of the pesticide residues analyzed can be found in Appendix A.

Metal/elemental analysis

291 samples were analyzed for metals/elements. Many metals or elements are present in food due to their natural occurrence in the environment, however they could also be present due to the use of pesticides, agricultural chemicals, environmental contamination or processing. The focus of this report will be on 4 elements of primary concern to human health, which are:

Assessment of results

All results from samples tested in this survey were evaluated against Canadian standards established by HC. Compliance is assessed against the established tolerances available when the survey was carried out. For pesticides, the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) is the maximum amount of residues that is expected to remain in or on food products when a pesticide is used according to product label directions. For metals/elements, the ML is the maximum level of a contaminant that could safely remain in food products.

Canadian pesticide MRLs are listed in the Maximum Residue Limit DatabaseFootnote 1 published on the HC website. In the absence of an MRL, pesticide residues must comply with the general MRL of 0.1 ppm as stated in section B.15.002 (1) of the Food and Drug RegulationsFootnote 2.

MLs for metals/elements in food are found in the list of contaminants and other adulterating substances in foodsFootnote 3. At the time of this survey, HC did not have established MLs for cadmium or mercury for any of the products tested in this survey. HC reviews all metals results from the CFP to determine if there is any health risk to infants and children.

What were the survey results

Pesticides

A total of 294 samples were tested for pesticides. No detectable levels of pesticide residues were found in 73.8% of the infant food tested. The results from the remaining 77 samples were 100% compliant with Canadian regulations.

In this study,166 of the 294 samples were labelled as "organic". There were no pesticide residues detected in 89.8% (149 samples) of organic products tested. All of the remaining 17 samples with detected levels of pesticides were below Canadian MRLs. All organic pesticide residue results were sent to the CFIA Organics office for review.

Metals/elements

A total of 291 samples were tested for metals/elements and 79.0% did not have detected levels for arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. All metals/elements results were sent to HC's Bureau of Chemical Safety for review and all samples were considered safe for children and infants.

A summary of metal/element results can be found in Appendix B.

Arsenic

Arsenic is an element that naturally occurs in the earth's crust and can be found as organic arsenic (compounds containing carbon atoms) and inorganic arsenic (free arsenic ions)Footnote 4. In general, inorganic arsenic is more toxic to humans than organic arsenic. Long-term exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic is known to contribute to the risk of human cancer and can affect the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, lungs and skinFootnote 5. For most Canadians, the primary source of exposure to arsenic is food, followed by drinking water, soil, and airFootnote 5.

At the time of this survey, MLs for inorganic arsenic included polished (white) rice (0.2 ppm) and husked (brown) rice (0.35 ppm) were established in July, 2020Footnote 3. HC will be adding a ML of 0.1 ppm for inorganic arsenic in rice-based foods intended for infants and young children as noted in the notice of proposalFootnote 9. The ML for total arsenic in fruit juice is 0.1 ppm. None of the juice samples tested contained detectable levels of arsenic.

A total of 97.6% (284 samples) did not contain detected levels of total arsenic (includes both organic and inorganic forms). Detected levels of arsenic ranged from 0.02 to 0.251 ppm with the highest levels in canned and dry pasta.

Cadmium

Cadmium can be present in water and soil through the use of phosphate fertilizers or sewage sludge. Food grown in cadmium containing soils is the primary source of cadmium exposure in the general populationFootnote 6. Kidneys and bones are affected by cadmium toxicityFootnote 6.

A total of 80.8% (235 samples) of samples did not contain detected levels of cadmium. Detected levels of cadmium ranged from 0.010 to 0.069 ppm with highest levels in canned and dry pasta.

Lead

Lead exposure may occur from a number of environmental and food sources. Chronic exposure to low levels of lead can be harmful to human health. Lead occurs naturally in the environment and has many industrial uses, such as mining, smelting and battery manufacturingFootnote 7. The greatest sources of a child's environmental exposure to lead are oral exposure from food and water along with ingestion of house dust and soil contaminated with leadFootnote 6.

The ML for lead in fruit juice is 0.05 ppm. None of the juice samples tested contained detectable levels of lead. There are no MLs for other products tested in this survey. A total of 97.9% (285 samples) of samples did not contain detected levels of lead. Detected levels of lead ranged from 0.015 to 0.047 ppm with the highest levels in canned and dry pasta.

Mercury

Mercury is released naturally from rocks, soils and volcanoes. Industrial activities have also increased the amount of mercury in the environmentFootnote 8. Mercury contamination is a concern because it is toxic, persists in the environment, and can bio-accumulate in the food chain. The health effects of mercury depend on its chemical form (elemental, inorganic, organic), the route and level of exposureFootnote 8. Methylmercury is the more toxic organic form, is easily absorbed and can cross the blood-brain barrierFootnote 8. Children and the developing fetus are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of methylmercury.

A total of 99.0% (288 samples) of samples did not contain detected levels of mercury. Detected levels of mercury ranged from 0.0005 to 0.002 ppm with the highest levels in infant and toddler meals.

Conclusion

The results of the CFP were shared with HC and they determined that none of the samples tested posed a health risk to Canadian infants or children. Organic sample results were shared with the CFIA Organics office. There were no product actions or recalls resulting from this sampling and testing on the basis of health risk. The infant foods tested in this survey, whether domestically produced or imported, are safe for consumption.

CFIA is committed to ensuring a safe food supply for all Canadians, including the vulnerable populations such as infants and young children. In the coming year, pesticide residues, toxic metals/elements (arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead), as well as veterinary drug residues and aflatoxin M1 will be examined in samples of infant cereals, infant/toddler snacks and infant formulas.

Appendix A: List of pesticides

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

V

Z

Appendix B: Metals results found in infant foods

Metal analyte Product type Total number of samples Total number negative Total number positive Minimum (ppm) Maximum (ppm) Mean (ppm)
Aluminum Fruit and vegetable puree 124 35 89 0 14.40 1.16
Aluminum Infant and toddler meals 53 9 44 0 6.53 1.36
Aluminum Canned and dry pasta 47 0 47 0.68 300 11.17
Aluminum Juice 67 45 22 0 1.61 0.28
Antimony Fruit and vegetable puree 124 124 0 0 0 0
Antimony Infant and toddler meals 53 53 0 0 0 0
Antimony Canned and dry pasta 47 47 0 0 0 0
Antimony Juice 67 67 0 0 0 0
Arsenic Fruit and vegetable puree 124 124 0 0 0 0
Arsenic Infant and toddler meals 53 51 2 0 0.17 0.004
Arsenic Canned and dry pasta 47 42 5 0 0.25 0.02
Arsenic Juice 67 67 0 0 0 0
Berylium Fruit and vegetable puree 124 124 0 0 0 0
Berylium Infant and toddler meals 53 53 0 0 0 0
Berylium Canned and dry pasta 47 47 0 0 0 0
Berylium Juice 67 67 0 0 0 0
Boron Fruit and vegetable puree 124 0 124 0.49 9.32 3.07
Boron Infant and toddler meals 53 0 53 0.4 5.53 2.28
Boron Canned and dry pasta 47 0 47 0.51 2.55 1.02
Boron Juice 67 7 60 0 5.52 1.50
Cadmium Fruit and vegetable puree 124 120 4 0 0.02 0.001
Cadmium Infant and toddler meals 53 47 6 0 0.02 0.002
Cadmium Canned and dry pasta 47 2 45 0 0.07 0.02
Cadmium Juice 67 66 1 0 0.01 0
Chromium Fruit and vegetable puree 124 113 11 0 0.43 0.01
Chromium Infant and toddler meals 53 45 8 0 0.21 0.02
Chromium Canned and dry pasta 47 44 3 0 0.13 0.01
Chromium Juice 67 66 1 0 1.84 0.03
Copper Fruit and vegetable puree 124 112 12 0 1.5 0.11
Copper Infant and toddler meals 53 49 4 0 6.2 0.18
Copper Canned and dry pasta 47 11 36 0 5.4 1.65
Copper Juice 67 67 0 0 0 0
Iron Fruit and vegetable puree 124 36 88 0 22.6 2.83
Iron Infant and toddler meals 53 4 49 0 14.6 4.36
Iron Canned and dry pasta 47 0 47 4.2 63.50 24.58
Iron Juice 67 64 3 0 7.80 0.20
Lead Fruit and vegetable puree 124 123 1 0 0.02 0
Lead Infant and toddler meals 53 51 2 0 0.18 0.001
Lead Canned and dry pasta 47 44 3 0 0.05 0.002
Lead Juice 67 67 0 0 0 0
Magnesium Fruit and vegetable puree 124 0 124 22.8 301 127.20
Magnesium Infant and toddler meals 53 0 53 70.8 282 157.14
Magnesium Canned and dry pasta 47 0 47 133 2590 589.02
Magnesium Juice 67 0 67 5.02 141 53.70
Manganese Fruit and vegetable puree 124 0 124 0.16 5.98 1.07
Manganese Infant and toddler meals 53 0 53 0.5 8.54 1.61
Manganese Canned and dry pasta 47 0 47 1.46 22.50 6.93
Manganese Juice 67 12 55 0 4.35 0.40
Mercury Fruit and vegetable puree 124 124 0 0 0 0
Mercury Infant and toddler meals 53 51 2 0 0.002 0
Mercury Canned and dry pasta 47 46 1 0 0.001 0
Mercury Juice 67 67 0 0 0 0
Molybdenum Fruit and vegetable puree 124 118 6 0 0.89 0.02
Molybdenum Infant and toddler meals 53 50 3 0 0.37 0.01
Molybdenum Canned and dry pasta 47 11 36 0 0.86 0.34
Molybdenum Juice 67 67 0 0 0 0
Nickel Fruit and vegetable puree 124 75 49 0 0.29 0.05
Nickel Infant and toddler meals 53 19 34 0 0.345 0.08
Nickel Canned and dry pasta 47 12 35 0 0.28 0.08
Nickel Juice 67 65 2 0 0.58 0.01
Selenium Fruit and vegetable puree 124 122 2 0 0.12 0.002
Selenium Infant and toddler meals 53 50 3 0 0.14 0.005
Selenium Canned and dry pasta 47 4 43 0 0.70 0.24
Selenium Juice 67 67 0 0 0 0
Tin Fruit and vegetable puree 124 124 0 0 0 0
Tin Infant and toddler meals 53 53 0 0 0 0
Tin Canned and dry pasta 47 46 1 0 111 2.36
Tin Juice 67 66 1 0 87 1.30
Titanium Fruit and vegetable puree 124 122 2 0 1.15 0.02
Titanium Infant and toddler meals 53 51 2 0 0.41 0.01
Titanium Canned and dry pasta 47 22 25 0 2.92 0.22
Titanium Juice 67 67 0 0 0 0
Zinc Fruit and vegetable puree 124 33 91 0 5.20 1.06
Zinc Infant and toddler meals 53 0 53 0.63 10.50 2.84
Zinc Canned and dry pasta 47 0 47 2.58 137 15.57
Zinc Juice 67 65 2 0 0.82 0.02
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