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The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Products of lipolysis released during digestion positively affect the metabolism of newborns. In contrast to the 3-layer biological membranes covering human milk (HM) fat, the lipid droplets in infant milk formula (IMF) are covered by a single membrane composed of casein and whey proteins. To reduce the differences in lipid structure between IMF and HM, studies have used milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) components such as milk polar lipids (MPL) to prepare emulsions mimicking HM fat globules However, few studies have elucidated the effect of membrane proteins (MemP) on lipid digestion in infants. In this study, 3 kinds of emulsions were prepared: one with MPL as the interface of lipid droplets (RE-1), one with membrane protein concentrate (MPC; RE-2) as the interface of lipid droplets, and one with both MPL and MPC (1:2) as the co-interface of lipid droplets (RE-3). The interfacial coverage of the emulsions was confirmed by measuring the contents of MPL and MPC at the lipid droplet interface, and by confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis. By controlling the homogenization intensity, the specific surface area of lipid droplets was controlled at the same level among the 3 emulsions. The stability constants of the emulsions varied, and RE-1 was the most stable. During simulated in vitro infant gastrointestinal digestion, the amount of free fatty acids (FFA) released from the lipid droplets was significantly higher from those with MPC at the interface (RE-2, RE-3) than from that with MPL at the interface (RE-1). The amount of FFA released at the end of intestinal digestion of RE-1, RE-2, and RE-3 was (mean ± SD; n = 3) 255.00 ± 3.54 µmol, 328.75 ± 5.30 µmol, 298.50 ± 9.19 µmol, respectively. Compared with the lipid droplets in RE-2, those with MPL at the interface (RE-1, RE-3) released more UFA during digestion. The emulsifying activity index was highest in RE-3 (MPL and MPC co-interface). The presence of MPL at the emulsion interface increased the release of UFA, and the presence of MPC increased the release of FFA. These results show that both MPL and MemP are indispensable in the construction of MFGM. Understanding their effects on digestion can provide new strategies for the development of infant foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Infant diet assessment validity varies by dietary component and feeding stage. • Carotenoid intake estimates differ by milk carotenoid adjustment and approach. • Carotenoid intake estimates from 3 days of food diaries correlate with 7 days. Validated carotenoid assessment methods are needed to study infant carotenoid nutrition. This is a secondary analysis of repeated diet assessments of healthy participants collected at 4- (n = 21), 6- (n = 12), and 8- (n = 9) months of age in Houston, TX between April 2019 and June 2020. Intake was assessed with 3 assessment tools, analyzed with 3 nutrient databases, and underwent 3 adjustments to account for milk composition variability. We hypothesized that manual adjustment of milk carotenoid intake based on laboratory measurements would improve the validity of all assessment approaches and that using a database with greater coverage of infant food carotenoid compositions would improve accuracy. Generalized linear mixed models assessed associations between tool, nutrient database, age, and milk carotenoid adjustment variables with carotenoid, energy, fruit, and vegetable intakes. The effect of the number of food diary days on intake estimate precision was evaluated by testing the correlation between intake estimates derived from 1, 3, or 5, vs. 7 days. Visit age influenced energy intake estimates (p =.029), along with assessment tool (p =.020). Estimates of vegetable intake were influenced by tool (p =.009). Combined fruit and vegetable intake differed by nutrient database (p =.007). Carotenoid intake differed by age (p =<.0001), tool (p =.002), and nutrient database (p =.004). A minimum of 3 food diary days strongly correlated (rho = 0.79-1) with reference estimates across ages. Milk carotenoid adjustment was most influential in estimating 4-month olds' carotenoid intake, while nutrient database and tool were important for 6- and 8-month-olds', highlighting the dynamic nature of infant diet assessment validity across feeding stages. There are multiple methods available to assess infant carotenoid intake. This study finds that estimated infant carotenoid intake is influenced by child age, milk carotenoid adjustment method, nutrient database, and assessment tool. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cow milk allergy is a common phenomenon experienced in early childhood (<5 yr of age) with an average occurrence rate of roughly 2.5%. The most prevalent allergen in cow milk is believed to be β-LG. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of hydrophobic supercritical CO 2 (ScCO 2) to modify the chemical structure β-LG, thus impairing its recognition by antibodies. Whole milk powder (WMP) was selected because of its closest compositional resemblance to bovine fluid milk and its applications in reconstitution and in the beverage (infant, toddler, and adult), confectionary, bakery, and meat industries. For this study, WMP was treated with food-grade CO 2 at temperatures of 50, 63, and 75 ° C under operating pressures of 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 bar. Proteins in WMP were examined using SDS-PAGE, western blot, and ELISA. Orbitrap Fusion liquid chromatography-tandem MS (LC-MS/MS) and periodic staining was performed to confirm post-translational modifications in β-LG. Functional properties of WMP before and after treatment were assessed by its solubility index, oil holding capacity, emulsion capacity and stability, zeta potential, particle size, and color analysis. SDS-PAGE of treated samples yielded fuzzy bands (variable mobility of molecules due to different molecular weights results in ill-defined bands) indicative of an increase in molecular weight, presumably due to chemical change in the protein, and demonstrated a maximum of 71.13 ± 0.29% decrease in the band intensity of β-LG under treatment conditions of 75 ° C/300 bar for 30 min. These changes were small with samples treated with heat only. Lighter, diffused bands were observed using western blot analysis. The ELISA tests proved that ScCO 2 treatment specifically and significantly affected the antigenicity of β-LG with a reduction of 42.9 ± 2.83% and 54.75 ± 2.43% at 63 ° C/200 bar and 75 ° C/300 bar, respectively. Orbitrap fusion detected the presence of fatty acids and sugar moieties bound to β-LG and the latter was confirmed by periodic staining. Functional properties of ScCO 2 -treated milk powder yielded a decrease in solubility index and an increase in emulsion capacity of WMP was observed under ScCO 2 treatment at 75 ° C/300 bar, with small and insignificant changes at other treatments producing a decrease in antigenicity. Color changes were small for most samples, except at 63 ° C/200 bar, where a significant increase in yellowness was observed. Zeta potential and particle size measurements indicated that most changes were temperature driven. This study demonstrates 2 approaches to mitigate β-LG antigenicity via fatty acid binding and lactosylation using hydrophobic ScCO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aimed to explore vegan mothers' experiences and decision-making processes when feeding their children (up to 3 years old). We conducted a qualitative photo-elicitation interview study in the United Kingdom. Eight vegan mothers provided 5 photographs of food choices they had made for their children and completed online photo-elicitation interviews to discuss these images. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five themes were developed: role modeling eating behavior, shared decision-making, nutritional guidance for vegan parents, fear of judgment for being vegan, and desire for convenience. Findings illustrate the complexity of the decision-making process and highlight the need for targeted resources for vegan parents. There is a need for awareness raising and training for health care professionals and the development of vegan-specific child-feeding resources to facilitate the provision of evidence-based nutritional guidance for vegan parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food additives have been used mainly in the past century to perform specific functions in foods. Some types of food additives have been linked to adverse health outcomes, yet there is little research examining food additives in the US food supply. To examine the proportion of products purchased by US households containing four common technical food additives using time-specific food composition data and examine whether purchases have changed over time. Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panels, 2001 and 2019. The proportion of packaged food products containing common types of food additives purchased by US households was determined overall and by food category. Differences were examined using Student t test; P value < 0.001 was considered significant. Between 2001 and 2019, the proportion of food products purchased by US households that contained additives increased from 49.6% to 59.5% (P < 0.001). The proportion of carbonated soft drinks purchased containing flavors decreased, with a subsequent increase in purchases containing nonnutritive sweeteners. Baby foods showed a 20% increase in the proportion of purchases containing additives and >15% increase in the proportion of purchases containing three or more additives. There is convincing evidence that US household purchases of common types of technical food additives are increasing. Despite some positive changes such as a decrease in the use of added flavors in carbonated soft drinks, across most food categories an increase in purchases of all types of products containing additives was observed. In particular the finding that purchases of baby food products containing additives have increased substantially is crucial in informing future research in this area and warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on its richness in immune-related components such as human milk, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), milk proteins, and lipids, breast milk can be considered the first functional food that humans encounter in their lifetime. According to WHO recommendations breast milk has to be the only food in an infant's diet in the first six months of age which is then continued up to two years of age with the suitable complementary foods. Regarding breast milk balanced composition, it is considered as the best food of infants thus many studies have been carried out to determine the benefits of breast milk. Based on numerous studies breast milk have a tendency to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, allergies, celiac disease, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), gastrointestinal tract infections and some type of cancers. The benefits of breast milk can be explained by its special combination which includes; macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive components such as immunoglobulins, hormones, growth factors and oligosaccharides. One of the essential bioactive compounds of breast milk is known as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). HMOs are unique, bioactive carbohydrates which are identified as the most significant components of breast milk. Since they have structural complexity and multifunctional properties, they are one of the most wondered components of breast milk. HMOs promote the development of the neonatal intestinal immune, and nervous systems. This article briefly describes the history, complex structure and different functions of HMOs and highlight the importance of maternal diet for HMO biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, obesity and its associated health issues have risen dramatically. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this trend, underscoring the pressing need for new strategies to manage weight. Functional foods designed to modulate lipid digestion and absorption rates and thereby reduce the assimilation of dietary fats have gained increasing attention in food science as a potentially safer alternative to weight-loss medications. This review provides insights into controlled lipid digestion and customized delivery of fats. The first section introduces basic concepts of lipid digestion and absorption in the human gastrointestinal tract. The second section discusses factors regulating lipid digestion and absorption rates, as well as strategies for modulating lipid assimilation from food. The third section focuses on applications of controlled lipid digestion in developing personalized foods designed for specific consumer groups, with particular emphasis on two target populations: overweight individuals and infants. [Display omitted] • Factors influencing lipid digestion and absorption rates are identified. • Current strategies to modulate assimilation of dietary fats are discussed. • Innovative solutions for personalized nutrition based on consumer needs are presented. • Future research directions for controlled lipid digestion are indicated. • Potential health benefits of tailored functional foods are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioavailability and the intestinal absorption of the essential mineral zinc are challenged by the food matrix and especially the content of zinc chelating antinutrients. Many milk proteins and peptides affect zinc bioavailability. Osteopontin (OPN) is an acidic and highly phosphorylated whey protein that has been shown to bind calcium, magnesium and iron. Here we report the zinc binding properties of OPN, and the effect of OPN-Zn complexes on zinc absorption in Caco-2 cells. By isothermal titration calorimetry milk OPN was shown to bind approximately 36 zinc ions (K D of ∼70 μM). The binding was mainly mediated by the phosphorylations in the protein. OPN retained zinc bound after in vitro simulated gastrointestinal transit. Interestingly the OPN-Zn complex enhanced zinc bioavailability in the presence of phytic acid, compared to inorganic zinc salts. Zinc uptake mediated by OPN significantly upregulated the gene expression of MT1G and ZnT1 which are crucial proteins involved in preserving enterocyte zinc homoeostasis. These results indicate that OPN could be incorporated into functional foods and infant formulas to increase zinc bioavailability and uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was the determination of mycotoxins belonging to beauvericin and enniatin groups in infant foods to be considered for the assessment of dietary exposure. The extraction phase with acetonitrile was followed by a purification step before liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The method was suitable to detect these mycotoxins in different categories of infant foods (cereal-based creams, biscuits, and pasta) at concentrations between 0.30 μg/kg for beauvericin and enniatin A and 0.60 μg/kg for the remaining enniatins (A1, B and B1) up to a maximum of 20 μg/kg. Beauvericin was the most detected mycotoxin in pasta samples (15%) at a maximum concentration of 1.1 μg/kg, while enniatin B showed the highest presence (90%) in biscuits, at levels ranging from 0.63 to 11 μg/kg. Enniatin B1 was found in all matrices at comparable ranks of positivity, with the highest occurrence rate (30%) in biscuits. The highest estimated daily intake was observed in infant consumers aged 1–3 years and was associated with the consumption of biscuits, followed by samples of pasta and cereal-based creams. It was higher in infants than in children aged 4–9 years due to consumption data expressed per kg of body weight. The lowest estimated daily intake was obtained for beauvericin in all matrices as its concentrations were lower than those of the enniatin group. The results of this study highlighted the need to implement monitoring also for these mycotoxin groups, paying particular attention to infants as a high-risk category. • A method for the detection of beauvericin and enniatin groups in infant foods was used for official samples analysis. • The estimated daily intake and threshold of toxicological concern were considered in the risk assessment study. • Beauvericin and enniatin should be monitored and maximum limits should be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive analysis of 89 commercial baby food samples showed the highest levels of furan in ready-to-eat full meals and vegetable purees (12–118 μg/kg). The alkylated furans (2- and 3-methylfuran, 2-ethylfuran, 2-pentylfuran) were predominantly found in these baby food categories. Furfuryl alcohol was notably abundant in ready-to-eat cereal porridge (3,550–13,100 μg/kg). The addition of lactose to self-made cereal porridge strongly influenced the formation of furfuryl alcohol. After reheating selected commercial baby food samples, a reduction of furan by 38 %, methylfurans by 28 %, and 2-ethylfuran by 26 % has been achieved. Raw materials, vegetable varieties, and storage conditions had a major impact on furan formation, which requires an adaptation of processing parameters. The most promising mitigation of furan (by 44 %) and most furan derivatives in vegetable puree were achieved by adding the additive calcium lactate gluconate. In contrast, in cereal porridge, the formation of furfuryl alcohol was reduced by 28 %. • Full meal ready-to-eat baby foods showed highest levels of furan and alkylfurans. • Ready-to-eat cereal porridge showed highest levels of furfuryl alcohol. • The storage temperature of potatoes had an impact on furan formation. • Reheating ready-to-eat baby foods led to a mean furan reduction of 37 %. • Calcium lactate gluconate had a reducing effect on furan and most derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human milk is the best source of nutrition for infants due to its essential biologically active components. However, it can contain potentially harmful chemicals, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, originating from contaminated air and food, which can cause adverse effects to infants. Using a Plackett-Burman design, a QuEChERS protocol was optimized to determine 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in 79 Brazilian human milk samples by gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. Limits of quantification below 1 μg/kg were achieved for all compounds, with recoveries ranging between 61 % and 126 %. Six PAHs, including benzo(g,h,i)perylene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, fluoranthene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, phenanthrene, and pyrene were detected in 40 samples. Mature milk exhibited the highest incidence of PAHs, with approximately 44 % of the positive samples, compared to 27 % for both colostrum and transitional milk. The concentrations detected varied between < LOQ and 1.14 μg/kg, with pyrene being the most frequently found PAH in the human milk samples. The estimated daily intake and margin of exposure of PAHs showed the highest values for babies aged 0–15 days for all PAHs evaluated. Despite the low levels of PAHs found in the analyzed samples, discontinuing breastfeeding is not recommended. This represents the first study on the incidence of PAHs in Brazilian human milk. • Thirteen PAHs were analyzed in human milk using GC-HRMS. • Plackett-Burman design was applied to develop the sample preparation. • Six PAHs were detected in 50.6 % of the human milk samples. • Mature milk exhibited the highest incidence of PAHs. • The detected levels of PAHs do not exceed the limits established for baby food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Research is needed to identify pathways by which household food insecurity (FI) contributes to parental controlling feeding styles and infant food responsiveness, 2 factors that play a role in shaping obesity risk across infancy and early childhood. Objectives This longitudinal study tested the hypothesis that prenatal FI would be positively associated with higher infant food responsiveness via greater parental mental health symptomatology and controlling feeding styles (pressuring, restrictive). Methods Participants included a community sample of 170 birth parents and their infants participating in an ongoing longitudinal study. Parents self-reported household FI and mental health symptoms (depression and anxiety) during pregnancy. Postnatally, parents reported their mental health symptoms, their use of controlling feeding styles, and infant food responsiveness. Path analyses with bias-corrected 95% bootstrapped CIs tested direct and indirect associations between prenatal FI and infant food responsiveness. Results Prenatal FI was indirectly associated with higher infant food responsiveness via greater parental mental health symptomatology and pressuring to finish (b = 0.01; 95% CI: 0.001, 0.025). Prenatal FI was associated with greater parental mental health symptomatology across the peripartum period (β = 0.54; P  < 0.001), which in turn was associated with more pressuring to finish at 2 months pospartum (β = 0.29; P  = 0.01) and higher infant food responsiveness at 6 months (β = 0.17; P  = 0.04). There were no direct effects of prenatal FI on controlling feedings styles or infant food responsiveness. Conclusions Our findings point to parental mental health as a potential pathway by which FI may be associated with obesity-promoting parental feeding styles and infant appetitive behaviors. In addition to ensuring reliable access to enough quality food during pregnancy, multipronged assistance that promotes emotional well-being during the peripartum period and clinical guidance on noncontrolling feeding styles could benefit parent and infant health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this forum I provide a response to the infant formula shortage crisis in the U.S. ongoing since May. I argue that government supported monopoly control of the infant formula market is a geopolitics that has nothing to do with infant feeding and everything to do with profit. I suggest that a diversity of strategies as well as a diversity of feeding options must be undertaken to avoid such human-caused crises in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns have been raised regarding toxic-element (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) contamination of commercially available infant foods around the world. Young children are vulnerable to the effects of toxic elements, based on higher absorption levels and potentially poorer detoxification capacities. Toxic-element exposures in early life exact high societal costs, but it is unclear how much dietary exposure to these elements contributes to adverse health outcomes. Well-designed epidemiological studies conducted in different geographical and socioeconomic contexts need to estimate dietary toxicant exposure in young children and to determine whether causal links exist between toxicants in children's diets and health outcomes. This commentary outlines the methodological considerations and data needs to advance such research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic compounds produced as secondary metabolites by certain fungi species during growth on foodstuffs. The occurrence of mycotoxins in processed infant foods is a global issue having severe health consequences for children. Infants, particularly those aged up to 12 months, are more vulnerable to dietary mycotoxin exposure because of their lower body weight, limited detoxification capacity and higher developmental rates. Due to the high health risks of mycotoxins, numerous regulatory bodies have established maximum residue levels (MRL) in food products. This article provides a systematic revision on the worldwide occurrence and levels of major mycotoxins, including aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), patulin (PAT), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins (FBs) and zearalenone (ZEN), among others in commercially available infant foods and follow-on formulas. By using predefined eligibility criteria for screening scientific databases like PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus, relevant data were extracted from 34 studies published between 2013 to July 2024. Most of the studies were conducted in Europe and Asia, followed by Africa, with the highest detection rates reported for DON (43.27%), AFs (17.95%), OTA (14.17%), FBs (11.5%) and ZEN (9.3%%). A higher number of samples with levels exceeding the MRL was found for AFs, followed by OTA, DON and ZEN. These findings emphasize the urgent need for enhanced monitoring of mycotoxin levels in infant foods to address global safety concerns of this susceptible population. Similarly, future research is essential for understanding the health risks of mycotoxins exposure in infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Tyrosine and tryptophan have been utilized as fluorescent biosensors. • Quenching fluorescence has been exploited for the first fluorimetric assay of clanobutin. • A comparative assessment of greenness, whiteness, and blueness merits has been performed. • The biosensors displayed good performances for clanobutin determination in versatile matrices. In livestock systems, clanobutin sodium (CLB) is a pivotal veterinary medication due to its appetite-stimulant features. This contribution aims to design, for the first time, a straightforward and ecological framework for quantifying CLB in various matrices. Relying on a direct mix-and-read assay, tyrosine (TS) and tryptophan (TP) biosensors were exploited as turn-off fluorescence probes for quantifying CLB using λ ex/em 274/302 nm and 272/361 nm, respectively. Upon adopting the optimized experimental conditions, there was a quantitative quenching in the native fluorescence of TS and TP through the concentration ranges (0.8 – 10.0 µg mL−1) and (3.0 – 20.0 µg mL−1) of CLB, with correlation coefficients (r) = 0.9997 and 0.9995, respectively. The established approaches were effectively applied for estimating CLB in veterinary formulations with standard deviations ± 1.84 and ± 1.50 for TS and TP, respectively. They have also authenticated significant practical applicability for assessing CLB residues in assorted food samples (including bovine muscle, poultry muscle, eggs, and milk), baby food, and river water with SD not exceeding 3. The paramount application findings highlighted the significance of the suggested work in many sectors such as food quality assurance, drug quality control, environmental monitoring, and therapeutic drug monitoring. A comparative study was executed between the proposed and published methodologies concerning the greenness, whiteness, and blueness appraisals. To achieve a fair arbitrage, we refuge to plentiful software and assessment tools, including Green Certificate Classification (GCC), Analytical Greenness Metric Approach (AGREE), the Red-Green-Blue (RGB) 12 algorithm and Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI). The outcomes accentuate the proposed work as a pioneering effort in inspecting a holistic evaluation of sustainability in the analytical chemistry field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are crucial for promoting neonatal health, with sialylated oligosaccharides, a significant subclass, offering a variety of health benefits such as prebiotic effects, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, antiviral defense, and cognitive development support. Among these, 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) and 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL) have received "GRAS" status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and approval from the European Food Safety Authority for use as novel food additives in infant formula and supplements. This review focuses on the synthesis methods of sialylated human milk oligosaccharides (SHMOs), their functional properties, downstreaming developments and application technologies. Given the challenges associated with achieving sufficient availability for food and medical applications, the review emphasizes the viability and efficiency of various production strategies. The review also highlights recent research advancements and offers insights for optimizing large-scale production to support future applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One challenging task to produce rice that comply with the increasing demanding regulations, is to reduce, simultaneously, grain bioaccumulation of As, Cd, and Pb. A 3-year field experiment was conducted in a Mediterranean environment, to evaluate the effects on As, Cd, and Pb bioaccumulation in rice grain, of the adoption of two levels of alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation conditions: moderate and intensive (reflooding at −20 kPa and −70 kPa soil matric water potential, respectively), relative to the traditional permanent flood irrigation. Plots were prepared with or without a one-time holm oak biochar application (35 Mg ha−1), in the first year of the study. Arsenic bioaccumulation decreased in rice grain in the AWD systems, both total and inorganic (As Inorg), with the lower values reached in the intensive AWD irrigation (0.131–0.151 mg kg−1 dry weight), when the drying conditions were more intense. For As, biochar contributed to a further reduction in the bioaccumulation in the first two years but lost its efficacy with the field aging after three years of its application. However, the transition to AWD irrigation led to a significant increase in Cd bioaccumulation in rice grain (21-fold increase in the more intensive system, whose values reached up to 0.127 mg kg−1), which can be counteracted by biochar application, to values statistically similar to those of permanent flooding. Contrariwise, the effects on Pb bioaccumulation were not so significant, but decreased with the transition to ADW irrigation, and with biochar application, relatively to the non-amended counterparts. Therefore, the implementation of intensive AWD with biochar represents a potentially fruitful strategy to enhance food safety of rice production, controlling, simultaneously, As, Cd, and Pb bioaccumulation. Nevertheless, new approaches need to be developed to attend the limits established for As Inorg to produce food for infants, even in uncontaminated soils. [Display omitted] • Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) with biochar was evaluated in a 3-year field trial. • Both severity AWD irrigation regimes decreased soils' DTPA-extractable Pb. • Field aging of biochar did not affect its capacity to contribute to Pb immobilization. • Cd accumulation in rice using AWD can be avoided by the application of biochar to soil. • EU regulations for As inorg in rice for infants not attended in As non-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents' concerns about baby food safety are growing, particularly because infants are more vulnerable to food contaminants than adults. Recent evidence revealing high levels of substances like arsenic and lead in baby foods call for a thorough exploration of contaminants in various infant diets. The objective of this article is to compare the levels of contaminants in Commercial Baby Foods (CBFs) in comparison to Homemade Baby Foods (HMBFs), and Common Foods (CFs), to assess their relative safety for infants. A comprehensive review of studies published between January 2007 and February 2024 was conducted, focusing on original contaminant data in CBFs, HMBFs, and CFs for infants aged 6 months to 3 years. Out of 880 initial publications, 46 studies were selected. The findings reveal that CBFs generally contained lower levels of pesticides, fertilizer residues and toxins in comparison to HMBFs and CFs, while heavy metal and environmental contaminant levels were comparable across all three food types. Process contaminants and packaging substances were higher in CFs compared to CBFs. This complexity calls for a shift in the infant food safety discussion, promoting an evidence-based assessment of all food sources, including common foods. Additionally, our findings challenge the general belief that HMBFs are inherently safer than CBFs in terms of contaminant levels, suggesting that this view may be overly simplistic. These results highlight the need for unified safety standards across all food types, as stricter regulations for commercial baby foods do not extend to common foods used in homemade meals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Mycotoxins in infant foods pose significant global health risks, especially for children. • Regulatory focus may overlooks children's unique vulnerabilities to mycotoxins. • Gap in studies related to mycotoxin bioaccessibility in infant food products. • 42 % of infant foods exceeded regulatory limits for mycotoxin levels. • High variability in methods shows need for child-specific gastrointestinal protocols. Mycotoxins, toxic fungal secondary metabolites, pose significant health risks due to their widespread presence in foodstuffs, particularly impacting children through contaminated infant foods. Regulatory assessments often overlook the unique physiological vulnerabilities of children. This study systematically reviews and meta-analyzes mycotoxin bioaccessibility in infant food products. A total of 92 articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, with 36 % describing mycotoxin occurrence levels in infant food matrices and 42 % reporting values exceeding regulatory limits. Of the 14 studies assessing the bioaccessible fraction of mycotoxins, 50 % indicated a high risk of exposure, and only 16 % examined mycotoxin co-occurrence in infant foods like formulas, cereals, and purees. The I2 index for bioaccessibility values was 99.47 %, indicating significant variability among methods. This highlights the necessity for future studies focused on developing specific gastrointestinal in vitro protocols for children to establish a baseline for risk analysis of infant foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • 78.5–103.9 µg/kg of furan was found in commercialized vegetable-based infant meals (VBIMs). • SHS-GC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS was validated for quantification of furan, 2-MF and 3-MF in VBIMs. • Significant mitigation of furan, 2-MF, and 3-MF was shown when VBIMs were stirred after reheating. • Four other furan derivatives were also significantly mitigated when VBIMs were stirred after reheating. • Despite mitigation by home practices of up to 69%, the risk from furan in VBIMs still cannot be ruled out. This study assessed the impact of current home practices including reheating, standing, and stirring on mitigation of furan and its derivatives in vegetable-based infant meals. Three vegetable-based infant meals (vegetables alone, with fish, with meat) underwent different home practices including reheating, post-reheating standing (60, 120 and 240 s) and post-reheating stirring (30, 60, 120 and 240 s). Targeted quantification of furan, 2-methylfuran (2-MF) and 3-methylfuran (3-MF) and exploration of additional furan derivatives were undertaken in treated and untreated vegetable-based infant meals using SHS-GC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap-MS. For the three compounds, the quality of the measurements was first validated with suitable linearity, limits of quantification, precision and recoveries. A second step highlighted high concentrations of furan (78.5–103.9 µg/kg), 2-MF (4.8–10.1 µg/kg) and 3-MF (3.4–5.8 µg/kg) in the three vegetable-based infant meals before preparation and the assessment of the cumulative risk related to these three furan compounds confirmed the relevance of studying home mitigation strategies. The third step showed that post-reheating stirring was the most effective home practice for mitigation, with maximum observed reductions of 66.3, 59.9 and 57.7 % for furan, 2-MF and 3-MF, respectively. In a fourth step, a suspect screening approach carried out on SHS-GC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS data revealed the presence of 2-ethyl-, 2-ethyl-5-methyl-, 2-butyl- and 2-vinyl-furan in vegetable-based meals and showed a similar mitigation trend of home practices on the relative concentrations of these four additional furan derivatives. Finally, despite a significant mitigation reaching 69 % of the furan concentration, the combined effect of home practices on furan compounds was not sufficient to rule out the risk associated with the consumption of vegetable-based infant foods and additional options are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A quantitative study was conducted on German parents' infant food choices. • Negative perceptions were found among parents regarding the nutritional quality, presence of contaminants, and texture of CIFs. • Parents acknowledged the industry's expertise but remained skeptical. • Benefit beliefs and trust in the industry were key decision-making factors. • Parents were familiar with traditional nutritional guidelines but less aware of recent updates. Complementary feeding is a critical milestone for parents, who must decide the extent to which they feed their infants with homemade foods (HMFs) or commercial infant foods (CIFs). The current study focused on how parents perceive and evaluate CIFs and what drives them to use these products. Understanding the wide variety of factors that influence parents' decisions to use CIFs as a food source is crucial to helping them make more balanced food choices for their infants. Data from an online survey with 858 German parents revealed their negative perceptions of CIFs, particularly in terms of nutritional quality and texture, and concerns that CIFs contain higher levels of pesticides and heavy metals compared to HMFs, despite acknowledging the expertise of the infant nutrition industry. These perceptions were likely to be driven by the 'natural-is-better' belief and parents' desire for control over the ingredients in their infants' meals, contributing to their skepticism towards CIFs. Additionally, our study found that while many parents know traditional nutrition guidelines, they are less familiar with recent updates. Parents' benefit beliefs about CIFs and parents' trust in the food industry strongly influenced the use of CIFs, while infant age and parent gender had a less strong, yet significant influence on CIFs consumption. Overall, the present study offers new quantitative insights into the factors that motivate parents to use CIFs. Furthermore, it underscores the need for health authorities to improve their communication strategies towards parents concerning new dietary guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of mycotoxins in cereal-based baby foods is undesirable, especially because infants are considered more vulnerable to toxin exposure than adults. In this context, this study evaluated the occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in 60 samples of cereal-based baby foods from Brazil and assessed the risk of the consumption of these products by children. Aflatoxins B1 and B2 (AFB1, AFB2), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol (3-ADON), 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol (15-ADON) and zearalenone (ZEN) were evaluated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results revealed that 98.3% of the samples were contaminated by at least one mycotoxin, with 80% of them demonstrating co-contamination. DON was detected in 80% of the samples, followed by 15-ADON (71.7%), 3-ADON (65%), ZEN (56.7%) and AFB1 (5%), with none of the samples contaminated by AFB2. The maximum concentrations found were 75.6 μg/kg for DON, 18.9 μg/kg for ZEN, 9.6 μg/kg for 15-ADON, 3.5 μg/kg for AFB1 and 2.8 μg/kg for 3-ADON. The occurrence of AFB1 was low, however, some products exceeded the limits established by the current regulations. Although the estimated daily intake (EDI) of DON, 3-ADON, 15-ADON and ZEN were below the safety values currently established, the margin of exposure (MOE) values for AFB1 indicate a concern for public health. [Display omitted] • Mycotoxin contamination was observed in 98.3% of the samples. • 80% of the samples showed contamination by more than one mycotoxin. • The occurrence of AFB1 was low, but one product exceeded regulatory limits. • The estimated daily intake of DON, 3-ADON, 15-ADON, and ZEN was within safe limits. • The Margin of Exposure values for AFB1 indicate concern for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A simple, quick, low-cost, and environmentally friendly method is presented. • MSPD combined to HR-CS FAAS was proposed for Cu determination in milk-based infant foods. • Diatomaceous earth, a renewable source reagent, was used as a solid green support in the MSPD. • Results by MSPD/HR-CS FAAS were in agreement with those obtained by MAD/HR-CS GF AAS. This study proposes, for the first time, the development of an analytical method using the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) for extraction of copper from infant formulas and milk-based foods for further determination using high resolution-continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS FAAS). MSPD parameters were investigated, and by employing a 0.25 g sample, 0.25 g of diatomaceous earth as a solid support, 1 mol/L HNO 3 as the extraction solution, and 1 min of blending, higher agreements with reference values were obtained. The limit of detection of the method was 0.35 µg/g. Accuracy was assessed by comparing the results using the following methods: i) proposed method (MSPD/HR-CS FAAS); and ii) decomposition of samples by microwave-assisted digestion (MAD) and quantification by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GFAAS). The MSPD extracts were also quantified using HR-CS GFAAS. No significant difference was found between the results. The agreements ranged from 95 to 103 %, and no significant difference was observed between the results. Copper concentrations ranged from 0.40 to 3.8 μg g−1 using the proposed method, with relative standard deviations lower than 10 %. The proposed method proved to be efficient for the determination of copper in infant formulas and milk powder, offering advantages such quickness, simplicity, low cost, low energy consumption, reduced waste generation (due to the use of an aqueous extraction solution), utilization of materials from renewable sources (diatomaceous earth as a solid support), and minimized analyst exposure when compared to conventional sample preparation methods. These attributes align with the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterobacteriaceae species have caused foodborne illnesses through consumption of a variety of foods, including infant foods. A total of 915 samples representing 4 types of samples, were collected from 7 powdered infant formula factories in Heilongjiang Province, China. All samples were processed for enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae and isolation of Cronobacter sakazakii , which were detected using the ISO enrichment procedure and a chromogenic medium. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were applied to characterize the C. sakazakii isolates to trace back the original source of contamination. Samples were considered Enterobacteriaceae positive at 10 CFU/g in powdered samples, 1 CFU/mL in water samples, and 10 CFU/100 cm2 or larger surface area. Enterobacteriaceae positive rate were 0/35 water samples associated with production, 11/56 raw materials, 147/761 environmental samples and 3/63 finished products respectively. C. sakazakii strains were isolated from 7.0% of environmental samples followed by 1.6% of the finished products. A total of 20 C. sakazakii isolates were recovered in Factory 4, 1 strain derived from a final product and 19 strains recovered from the environment representing 4 MLST sequence types and 10 PFGE pulse types. Most environmental sites positive for C. sakazakii had higher counts of Enterobacteriaceae, except for 11 sites where Enterobacteriaceae did not reach minimal levels for reporting a positive sample. The present study, provides insight to the correlation between the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae and contamination of C. sakazakii in powdered infant formula factories; there is no one-to-one relation between number of Enterobacteriaceae and C. sakazakii. Identifying environmental sites positive for C. sakazakii and/or Enterobacteriaceae will aid in development of appropriate corrective measures to improve environmental hygiene and enhance safety of powdered infant formula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Graphene oxide decorated NiCo 2 (OH) 6 nanoflowers as a novel nanostructure was synthetized. • It was introduced for separation of the pesticides from food samples. • The main factors were inquired using matrixed match method. • High relative recoveries ascertained high potential of the presented method. Food safety is an important issue to protect humane health and improve the life quality. Hence, analysis of the possible contaminants in food samples is essential. A rapid and efficient vortexed-assisted dispersive µ-solid-phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was proposed for simultaneous separation/preconcentration and determination of five commonly used organophosphorus pesticides. Reduced graphene oxide decorated NiCo 2 (OH) 6 nanoflowers as a novel nanostructure was synthetized and introduced for separation of the target pesticides from the wheat flour, rice flour, and baby food cereal samples. The characterization of the nanoflowers was accomplished by SEM-EDX, XRD, and FT-IR techniques. The main factors including pH, the amount of nanoflower, the volume of sample solution, salt concentration (ionic strength), desorption conditions (i.e. desorption solvent type and volume, and desorption time) on the pesticides extraction efficiencies were inquired using matrixed match method. Applying the optimum conditions, the linearity of 0.100–500.000 µg kg−1, LODs and LOQs in the range of 0.03–0.04 µg kg−1 and 0.1 µg kg−1 for the studied food samples were obtained. The repeatability (intra–day precision (n = 5)) of ≤ 2.0 % and reproducibility (inter–day precision, days = 5, n = 3) of ≤3.1 % and were appraise at three concentration levels (10, 50 and 100 μg kg−1 of each analyte). High relative recoveries of 90.0–99.3 % ascertained high potential of the presented method for complex matrix analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Seven risk ranking criteria were established to rank microbiological hazards systematically in infant foods. • Total microbial risks in infant formula were compared via three semiquantitative aggregation methods: risk scoring, risk value and multicriteria PROMETHEE. • The risk scoring and risk value methods were implemented into the Mira DSS online tool. • The Mira DSS ranks the total risk of microbiological hazards identified with the MiID DSS in specific infant foods via data-driven steps and the seven defined criteria. Ensuring food safety, particularly for vulnerable groups, like infants and young children, requires identifying and prioritizing potential hazards in food chains. We previously developed a web-based decision support system (DSS) to identify specific microbiological hazards (MHs) in infant and toddler foods through a structured five-step process. This study takes the framework further by introducing systematic risk ranking (RR) steps to rank MH risks with seven criteria: process survival, recontamination, growth opportunity, meal preparation, hazard-food association evidence, food consumption habits of infants and toddlers in the EU, and MH severity. Each criterion is given a semi-quantitative or quantitative score or risk value, contributing to the final MH risk calculation via three aggregation methods: semi-quantitative risk scoring, semi-quantitative risk value, and outranking multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). To validate the criteria and ranking approaches, we conducted a case study to rank MH risks in infant formula, compared the results of the three risk ranking methods, and additionally evaluated the ranking results against expert opinions to ensure their accuracy. The results showed strong agreement among the three methods, consistently ranking Salmonella non-Typhi and Cronobacter spp. and Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli as the top MH risks in infant formulae, with minor deviations. When MHs were ranked after an initial hazard identification step, all three methods produced nearly identical MH rankings, reinforcing the reliability of the ranking steps and the selected criteria. Notably, the risk value and MCDA methods provided more informative MH rankings compared to the risk scoring method. The risk value and risk scoring methods were implemented into an online tool, called the MIcrobiological hazards risk RAnking decision support system (Mira-DSS), available at https://foodmicrobiologywur.shinyapps.io/MIcrobial%5fhazards%5fRAnking/. In conclusion, our framework enables the ranking of MH risks, facilitating intervention comparisons and resource allocations to mitigate MH risks in infant foods, with potential applicability to broader food categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in commercial baby food products from various European countries was investigated in this study. A total of 96 samples were collected and analyzed to assess PFASs levels, composition profiles, and potential dietary intake among infants. The results indicated detectable levels of PFASs in the sampled baby food products, with carboxylic acid prevalence over sulfonic acids. Among the various baby food groups studied, dry cereals exhibited the highest PFASs concentrations. This finding emphasizes the need for further monitoring and investigation of PFASs contamination in this specific food category. While the concentrations detected were generally low, they indicated the widespread presence of PFASs in various types of baby food. Furthermore, a preliminary exposure assessment was conducted on the basis of the measured PFASs concentrations, providing an initial insight into the potential exposure levels among infants from three months to three years old. Calculations based on two scenario types revealed the best-case scenario likely underestimating actual exposure, while the worst-case scenario occasionally exceeded the limits set by the governmental institutions. Further research is needed to understand the sources, pathways, and potential health effects of PFASs exposure in this vulnerable population. [Display omitted] • All analyzed commercial baby food showed PFASs presence. • Dry cereal baby food showed the highest PFASs concentrations. • Exposure figures exceeded regulatory limits for dry cereals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS used for targeted quantification and untargeted exploration. • Accuracy profile enabled HS-SPME- vs. SHS-GC-HRMS for furan quantification. • SHS-GC-HRMS was more precise and sensitive for furan quantification in infant food. • SHS-GC-HRMS was validated for quantification of furan, 2-MF and 3-MF in infant food. • Furan, 2MF and 3MF were quantified in the main classes of commercial infant food. • Untargeted screening of HS-SPME-GC-HRMS data underlined 13 more furan derivatives. The aim of the present study was to assess the performance and complementarity of methods capable of both quantifying furan, 2-Methylfuran (2-MF) and 3-Methylfuran (3-MF) in infant foods, but also to comprehensively explore other furan derivatives. It is more particularly a question of validating and comparing the couplings of the two headspace extraction methods most used for the analysis of furan compounds − Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME) and Static HeadSpace (SHS) – with gas chromatography hyphenated to a high-resolution mass detector (Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS) which allows both targeted quantification and suspect screening. Firstly, the accuracy profile approach was implemented to assess, validate and compare HS-SPME- and SHS-GC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS for the quantification of furan in two model infant foods, apple puree and first infant formula. SHS-GC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS, showed better accuracy (uncertainty < 17.2 % vs 22.5 % for HS-SPME GC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS) and better sensitivity (LOQ < 2.8 vs LOQ < 4.0 µg/kg) over a broader validation range (2–100 µg/kg vs 5–100 µg/kg in apple puree). Secondly, SHS-GC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS was assessed and validated by accuracy profile for the quantification of 2-MF and 3-MF, with performance close to those for furan except for 3-MF in apple puree. Thirdly, SHS-GC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS was used to quantify the levels of these compounds in 20 commercial samples (n = 3) belonging to the four main categories of infant food (infant formulae, fruit purees, infant cereals, vegetable/fish baby meals). Furan was quantified in 75 % of the samples, with maximum levels in the vegetable/fish-based infant foods (up to 127 µg/kg) while 2-MF and 3-MF were quantified in 45 % and 15 % of products respectively, with maximum levels of 14.1 µg/kg in follow-on formula 3rd age and 9.2 µg/kg in apple puree. Finally, SHS- and HS-SPME-GC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS data of the 20 infant products were processed in suspect screening mode using Compound DiscovererTM software. Coupling with HS-SPME, it made it possible to identify 13 additional furan derivatives, i.e. 5 more than with SHS. The relevance and safety status of the compounds identified are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of fruits and vegetables, which are the basis of infant nutrition, carries a high risk of pesticide residue contamination. With higher food intake and lower body weight, infants can be considered more sensitive to contamination than adults, which justifies the growing concern about the diet of this population in recent decades. In 2006 in the European Union (EU), processed baby foods were regulated and should not contain individual pesticide residues at levels higher than 0.01 mg/kg, to protect children from ingesting harmful substances. Considering the reference pesticide residues for infant food in the EU and the pesticide residue monitoring programs in Brazil (from the National Health Surveillance Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply), this study compared the results of pesticide residues in some vegetables and fruits with the maximum residue level (MRL) for infant foods established by the EU. 10,174 vegetable samples were analyzed by the monitoring programs, and 80.3% were in accordance with their respective MRLs. Some foods, such as rice, potatoes, and chayote, have average pesticide residue levels equal to or lower than the EU-baby-MRL. However, only 44.0% of the analyzed foods presented residues with results lower than 0.01 mg/kg of food. It can be concluded that most fruits and vegetables contain pesticide residues above the EU recommendations for infant food. • Fruits and vegetables contain pesticide residues above the recommended value for baby foods. • More attention should be paid to the food offered to children. • Monitoring programs do not pay attention to infant foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balancing the risks and benefits of organophosphate pesticides (OPs) on human and environmental health relies partly on their accurate measurement. A highly sensitive fluorescence anti-quenching multi-residue bio-barcode immunoassay was developed to detect OPs (triazophos, parathion, and chlorpyrifos) in apples, turnips, cabbages, and rice. Gold nanoparticles were functionalized with monoclonal antibodies against the tested OPs. DNA oligonucleotides were complementarily hybridized with an RNA fluorescent label for signal amplification. The detection signals were generated by DNA-RNA hybridization and ribonuclease H dissociation of the fluorophore. The resulting fluorescence signal enables multiplexed quantification of triazophos, parathion, and chlorpyrifos residues over the concentration range of 0.01–25, 0.01–50, and 0.1–50 ng/mL with limits of detection of 0.014, 0.011, and 0.126 ng/mL, respectively. The mean recovery ranged between 80.3% and 110.8% with relative standard deviations of 7.3%–17.6%, which correlate well with results obtained by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The proposed bio-barcode immunoassay is stable, reproducible and reliable, and is able to detect low residual levels of multi-residue OPs in agricultural products. [Display omitted] • A sensitive immunoassay based on DNA/RNA hybridization and RNase H was developed for the detection of organophosphate pesticides. • Different fluorescent groups are labeled on the RNA chain to excite different fluorescent signals. • The use of RNase H enzyme can only specifically hydrolyze the RNA chain in the DNA/RNA hybridization chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most women in the United States do not meet the recommendations for healthful nutrition and weight before and during pregnancy. Women and providers often ask what a healthy diet for a pregnant woman should look like. The message should be "eat better, not more." This can be achieved by basing diet on a variety of nutrient-dense, whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, healthy fats with omega-3 fatty acids that include nuts and seeds, and fish, in place of poorer quality highly processed foods. Such a diet embodies nutritional density and is less likely to be accompanied by excessive energy intake than the standard American diet consisting of increased intakes of processed foods, fatty red meat, and sweetened foods and beverages. Women who report "prudent" or "health-conscious" eating patterns before and/or during pregnancy may have fewer pregnancy complications and adverse child health outcomes. Comprehensive nutritional supplementation (multiple micronutrients plus balanced protein energy) among women with inadequate nutrition has been associated with improved birth outcomes, including decreased rates of low birthweight. A diet that severely restricts any macronutrient class should be avoided, specifically the ketogenic diet that lacks carbohydrates, the Paleo diet because of dairy restriction, and any diet characterized by excess saturated fats. User-friendly tools to facilitate a quick evaluation of dietary patterns with clear guidance on how to address dietary inadequacies and embedded support from trained healthcare providers are urgently needed. Recent evidence has shown that although excessive gestational weight gain predicts adverse perinatal outcomes among women with normal weight, the degree of prepregnancy obesity predicts adverse perinatal outcomes to a greater degree than gestational weight gain among women with obesity. Furthermore, low body mass index and insufficient gestational weight gain are associated with poor perinatal outcomes. Observational data have shown that first-trimester gain is the strongest predictor of adverse outcomes. Interventions beginning in early pregnancy or preconception are needed to prevent downstream complications for mothers and their children. For neonates, human milk provides personalized nutrition and is associated with short- and long-term health benefits for infants and mothers. Eating a healthy diet is a way for lactating mothers to support optimal health for themselves and their infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine infant food preparation practices at age 7, 9, 11, and 13 months overall and by sociodemographic characteristics. Data from a longitudinal study from the US Department of Agriculture's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 (ITFPS-2) were used. A sample of 1,904 infants (970 males and 934 females) enrolled in WIC who had been introduced to solid foods and were consuming food prepared at home. Food preparation practices included pureeing, mashing, chopping/dicing, and prechewing. Estimates were provided overall and by sociodemographics. Prevalence estimates were calculated for each survey month overall and by sociodemographics. Chi-square tests for independence were used to test for differences. Food preparation practices changed as infants aged. Pureeing and mashing were common in month 7 (57.8% and 59.6%, respectively), but chopping/dicing were the most prevalent by month 13 (85.4%). Food preparation practices did not vary by education status, but statistical differences were consistently observed by race and ethnicity and inconsistently observed by maternal age at birth. Exposing children to a range of food textures at an appropriate age is important for developmental progress. Continued culturally relevant efforts by WIC educators and health care providers can emphasize the importance of early experiences with food textures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examine the association between the timing of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and 100% juice introduction with subsequent diet quality at age 3 years. Secondary analysis of a publicly available, national longitudinal dataset. A total of 2,218 children from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Dietary intakes were assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall completed by caregivers of children aged 3 years. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index Score-2015 (HEI-2015). Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between the timing of introduction to 100% juice and SSBs with HEI-2015. Adjustments were made for child- and maternal-related factors. Delayed introduction of SSBs during the first 2 years of life was associated with an increased HEI-2015 score. In adjusted analyses, for every 1-month delay in the introduction, there was a 0.09-point increase (95% confidence interval, 0.04–0.13) in the HEI-2015 score at 3 years. Earlier introduction to SSBs may be associated with subsequent lower diet quality in WIC participants. This association may be driven by total fruit, whole grains, and added sugars HEI component scores. Further research is needed to support changes to existing WIC nutrition practices regarding SSBs and 100% juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously proso-millet, considered an underutilized cereal, has drawn considerable attention due to health benefits like good nutritional profile, low glycemic index, and gluten-free. The present review discusses starch extractability, structural characteristics, morphology, and physicochemical properties. Starch properties mainly depend on the amylose and amylopectin composition and distribution of brained chains. A very diverse starch structure and morphology were observed among the waxy and non-waxy cultivars. The amylose content ranged from 0.75 to 28.3% in many varieties, but exceptionally Hongmeizi variety showed a 32.3% as per the reported evidence. There are a positive correlation between the amylose content and cooking quality, thermal and pasting properties. The size and shape of smallest to largest starch granules varied between 0.3 and 17 μm and round to polygonal, respectively. The non-waxy starch varieties of proso-millet are widely used in food processing due to high resistance to swelling during heat treatment. Few food applications of proso-millet are bakery products like gluten-free bread, porridge, pasta, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, infant foods, and distilleries. We can conclude that proso millet is an alternative to existing starch for its quality characteristics and provides insight to many food processing industries. • Proso-millet is an underutilized crop and rich in minerals, vitamins, and proteins. • Isolation, composition, and properties of proso millet starch is summarized. • Proso-millet starch has been modified physically, chemically, and enzymatically. • Digestibility studies reflected the presence of resistant starch with low GI. • Industrial applications of proso millet starch are outlined in the review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening-based intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) has reduced the prevalence of early-onset group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection in newborns. Nevertheless, early-onset disease still occurs despite IAP, and IAP is not effective in preventing late-onset disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of GBS neonatal umbilical colonization managed by dry cord care in Japan. Of 735 healthy newborns in the well-baby nursery at Saitama City Hospital, 353 from whom umbilical bacterial swabs were obtained before discharge were included in the analysis. Maternal and neonatal clinical characteristics were retrospectively reviewed. GBS was detected in 4.2% (15/353) of umbilical swabs; 13/15 (86.8%) were born to GBS-negative mothers. The median (IQR) age at umbilical swab collection was 4.0 (4.0–5.0) days. Comparison of clinical characteristics between GBS-positive and negative neonates revealed a significant difference in the proportion of vaginal deliveries (15/15 [100%] in GBS-positive neonates vs. 115/338 [34.0%] in GBS-negative neonates, p < 0.0001). Of 15 GBS-positive neonates, 10 (66.7%) were also co-colonized with other enteric bacteria such as Escherichia coli. Vaginal delivery was a risk factor associated with GBS neonatal umbilical colonization in Japanese neonates. Co-colonization with multiple enteric bacterial species implicates vertical transmission of GBS from undetected carrier mothers during passage through the birth canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Method developed for PFAS in various food matrices. • Limit of quantification for 4 regulated EFSA PFAS in the lower ng/kg range achieved. • The method can also be used for food contact materials. • The method was applied to food contact material, seaweed samples, eggs and milk. Dietary intake is the major pathway of human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Due to their generally very low concentrations in food, especially for foods of plant origin, and their toxicological relevance, demand is growing for improved selective and sensitive analytical methods for the determination of PFAS in the lower ng/kg range. The relevance is pointed out due to the fact that the European Commission has published limits of quantification (LOQs) in the lower ng/kg range for different food matrices in Recommendation (EU) 2022/1431 on the monitoring of perfluoroalkyl substances in food. For example, LOQs of 2 ng/kg for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 1 ng/kg for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 1 ng/kg for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and 4 ng/kg for perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) in fruit, vegetables and baby foods are required. A new, very sensitive method is presented here for the determination of 22 PFAS in food and food contact materials. The method is based on liquid-solid extraction and automated clean-up using two solid phase extraction techniques. The analytes are separated and detected by HPLC-MS/MS. A limit of detection (LOD) of 0.33 ng/kg and an LOQ of 1.0 ng/kg are attained for plant foods such as fruits and vegetables as well as for milk and baby food. For foods of animal origin such as egg, meat, fish and paper-based food contact materials an LOD of 1.6 ng/kg as well as an LOQ of 5.0 ng/kg are attained. PFOS and PFOA were the most abundant compounds in the food samples with concentration as high as 1,051 ng/kg of PFOA in sea weed samples and 772 ng/kg of PFOS in eggs samples. In food contact material samples, higher levels were found with a maximum of 310,000 ng/kg PFHxA. In sum the presented method firstly allows determination of PFAS in a wide variety of foodstuffs and paper-based food contact materials at EU-required concentration ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legumes and pulses are plant foods, where pulses are a subgroup of legumes from the Leguminosae family and are rich in protein and minerals. They are fundamental sources of nutrition primarily for vegetarian and vegan subjects. Proteins are modified to improve properties such as solubility, dispersibility, wettability, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, and emulsifying property thus increasing the range of application of protein in the food industry. The protein properties are modified by different processing techniques such as physical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments. Several non-thermal treatments have been developed to reduce the impact of thermal treatment on the food components. Ultrasonication is an extensively researched method, which is proven to reduce antinutrient levels, enhance protein digestibility, and thus improve its usage as a key functional ingredient in food products. The application of ultrasound to modify the legume proteins has gained significant interest due to its green processing concept and serves as an alternative to conventional modification techniques to improve or modify the undesirable techno-functional, structural, and physico-chemical properties. The sonication enables controlled modification of physical and chemical properties of proteins and can produce high-quality protein-rich foods. Legumes are rich in protein and are used as a key ingredients in food products such as meat analogues, meatballs, and baby foods. Therefore, it is important to improve undesirable functional properties such as texture, whippability, fat binding, and emulsification to enhance its utilization. This review comprehensively discusses the application of ultrasound treatments in modifying the techno-functional, structural, and physico-chemical properties of legume proteins. [Display omitted] • Legumes, rich in protein, are key ingredients in various food products. • Modifying proteins improves their properties and food industry applications. • Ultrasound effectively modifies legume protein properties. • Ultrasound enhances protein digestibility and functional properties. • Ultrasound is an alternative to conventional protein modification methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Method for multi-metal analysis in baby food products. • Liquid phase microextraction based switchable-hydrophilicity solvents-based method. • Optimization and validation of analytical method confirms its applicability. • High extraction (recovery%) up to 99% by selective extraction system. • Highly selective, sensitive and precise method for routine quality control of foods. This manuscript describes the development of a novel liquid phase microextraction (LPME) method for the extraction and determination of Zn (II), Fe (II), Pb (II), and Cd (II) in various infant/baby food and supplements products. The method is based on vortex-assisted extraction combined with a switchable-hydrophilicity solvent (SHS) sample preparation. The SHS, which undergoes reversible phase changes triggered by pH change, enables selective extraction and easy phase separation. A flame atomic absorption spectroscopy was used in the final determination step. Optimization studies revealed, that the optimal pH of the sample solution (after digestion) during analytes extraction is 5.5. A l -proline is added to the sample (375 mM) to ensure the complexation of the target metal cations. After the complexation step, 750 µL of SHS - a N, N -Dimethylcyclohexylamine along with 0.9 mL of 2 M of acetic acid solution is added (hydrophilicity switch-on stage) and mixed manually to obtain a homogeneous solution. In the last stage, 0.45 mL of 10 M NaOH solution (hydrophilicity switch-off stage) is added to the sample solution and a vortex for 100 s is applied to ensure the effective extraction and separation of the complex containing the analytes. At this stage, a cloudy solution is immediately obtained. Finally, the effective phase separation is obtained at the centrifugation step (4000 rpm for 2 mins). The method limit of detection was as 0.03, 0.009, 0.6, and 0.2 ng/L for Zn (II), Fe (II), Cd (II), and Pb (II) respectively with RSD% below 2.0 %. The analysis of certified reference materials and real samples proved the full applicability of the method for routine analysis, contributing to the field of heavy metal analysis and ensuring the safety of baby products. According to the AGREE methodology, this method can be named as green analytical chemistry method with a score of 0.77. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Tropane alkaloids show high thermostability, degrading more at pH 7 than at pH 4. • Incurred infant foods with TAs can be found at retail above regulated limits. • TAs are relevant chemical hazards that may remain even after heat processing. Tropane alkaloids (TAs) are secondary metabolites from weeds that can contaminate cereals and vegetables during harvest. Due to their toxicity, the Regulation (EC) 2023/915 sets maximum levels for atropine and scopolamine in cereal-based foods for infants containing millet, sorghum, buckwheat or their derived products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pH and temperature on the stability of TAs, as possible parameters in thermal processing to mitigate this chemical hazard in cereal-based infant food. The effect of pH (4 and 7) and temperature (80 °C and 100 °C) was assessed in buffer solutions. Also, treatment at 180 °C was performed in spiked and naturally incurred millet flour to assess the effect of high temperature, simulating cooking or drying, on the stability of TAs in the cereal matrix. The fate of 24 TAs was assessed by UHPLC-MS/MS. TAs showed high thermostability, although it was variable depending on the specific compound, pH, temperature and treatment time. In buffer solutions, higher degradation was found at 100 °C and pH 7. In spiked millet flour at 180 °C for 10 min, scopolamine and atropine contents decreased by 25 % and 22 %, similarly to other TAs which also showed a slow thermal degradation. Atropine, scopolamine, anisodamine, norscopolamine, scopine and scopoline were found in naturally contaminated millet flour. Interestingly, naturally incurred atropine was more thermostable than when spiked, showing a protective effect of the cereal matrix on TAs degradation. The present results highlight the need for an accurate monitorization of TAs in raw materials, as this chemical hazard may remain in infant cereal-based food even after intense thermal processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • OTA and DON occurred in infant milk formula. • OTA, DON, and ZEN occurred in baby cereal. • Risk estimate revealed health concerns for OTA through milk formula consumption. • Special mycotoxin regulations for infant foods are highly recommended in Chile. Ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), and deoxynivalenol (DON) are mycotoxins whose exposure is associated with various adverse health effects, including cancer and renal disorders, estrogenic effects, and immunosuppressive and gastrointestinal disorders, respectively. Infants (<2 years) are the most vulnerable group to mycotoxins, representing a unique combination of restricted food consumption types, low body weight, lower ability to eliminate toxins, and more future years to accumulate toxins. This study aimed to estimate the infant́s exposure to OTA, DON, and ZEN due to the consumption of milk formula and baby cereals in Chile. Milk formula samples (n = 41) and baby cereals (n = 30) were collected and analyzed using commercial ELISA kits for OTA, DON, and ZEA determination. Exposure was assessed by the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) approach (mean and worst-case scenario, WCS) with the levels found in a modified Lower Bound (mLB) and Upper Bound (UB); ideal consumption (<6m, 7–12 m, and 13–24 m); adjusted by the weight of each group. The risk was estimated by comparing the EDI with a reference tolerable daily intake or by the margin of exposure (MOE) in the case of OTA. DON and OTA occurrence in infant formula were 34 % and 41 %, respectively. The co-occurrence between these mycotoxins was 22 %. Mycotoxin contents were below LOQ values except for OTA determined in one sample (0.29 ng/ml). No milk formulae were contaminated with ZEN. In the case of baby cereals, the occurrences were 17 % for OTA, 30 % for DON, and 7 % for ZEN, all below LOQ. Co-occurrence was seen in two samples between ZEN and OTA. According to exposure calculations, the MOE for OTA was less than 10,000 in all models for milk formula between 0 to 12 months of age and in the UB and WCS for cereal consumption. Health concerns were observed for DON in the WCS and UB for milk consumption in all ages and only in the UB WCS for cereal consumption. Considering the high consumption of milk formula in these age groups, regulation of OTA and other co-occurring mycotoxins in infant milk and food is strongly suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • First multi-mycotoxin screening in samples randomly collected from an infant food company. • Multiple mycotoxins were detected in processed infant foods and related raw materials. • DON and TeA exhibited notably higher presence in processed infant foods and related raw materials. • Dietary exposure to AME, AOH, and TeA for infants and young children should be concerned. This study evaluated muti-mycotoxins in 199 samples including processed infant foods and raw materials collected randomly from an infant food company and assessed their role in dietary exposure in infants and young children via probabilistic risk assessment. Approximately 79.6 % (74/93) of the processed infant foods and 65.1 % (69/106) of the raw materials were contaminated by mycotoxins, with a mean occurrence level of 3.66–321.8 µg/kg. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and tenuazonic acid (TeA) were the more prevalent mycotoxins detected, based on their higher frequencies and levels across samples. Co-occurrence of more than two mycotoxins was detected in 61.3 % (57/93) of the processed infant foods and 53.8 % (57/106) of the raw materials. Wheat flour and derived products (e.g., infant noodles and infant biscuits) were contaminated with higher contamination levels and a greater variety of mycotoxins than other samples (e.g., infant cereal and rice grains). The estimated daily exposure to OTA, DON, ZEN, and TEN was lower than the corresponding reference health-based guidance values, indicating acceptable health risks. However, the estimated dietary exposure to alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), alternariol (AOH), and tenuazonic acid (TeA) exceeded the corresponding thresholds of toxicological concern values, indicating potential dietary intake risks. Among the various samples, cereals and cereal-based infant foods emerged as the primary contributors to mycotoxin exposure. Further research is advised to address the uncertainties surrounding the toxicity associated with emerging Alternaria mycotoxins and to conduct cumulative risk assessments concerning multiple mycotoxin exposure in infants and young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoinitiators (PIs) are the potential contaminants that may migrate from the packaging material to the food. These migrants could be a potential risk to human health. A total of 115 samples including 67 snack foods, 3 noodles, 10 milk samples, 8 baby foods, 9 fruit juices, 5 butter samples, and 13 kinds of cereal and their based-foodstuffs were analyzed for screening the occurrence of 15 photoinitiator residues including 4,4′-Dihydroxybenzophenone (44-DHBP), 2,4-Dihydroxybenzophenone (24-DHBP), 2,2′-Dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (DHBP), benzophenone (BP), 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (OXBP), 2-Hydroxy-4-n-Octoxybenzophenone (2H4OBP), 2-Hydroxy-4-n-hexyloxybenzophenone (2H4HBP), 4-Isopropylthioxanthone (ITX), 4-Hydroxybenzophenone (4-HBP), 4-Methylbenzophenone (4-MBP), 4-Morpholinobenzaldehyde (44-MB), Ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate (EDMAB), 2-Isopropylthioxanthone (2-ITX), 4,4′-Bis(diethylamino)-benzophenone (DEAB) and 2-Ethylanthraquinone (EA). BP was the most detected PI in different food categories. The highest BP concentration was 30.2 ppb in snack foods. Seven snack food samples had high concentrations of 44-DHBP, 4-MBP, ITX, and 2-ITX and their concentrations exceeded the relevant specific migration limit (SML) values. The other positive samples did not exceed the SML values recommended by the European Commission. Another predominant PI, namely ITX, was detected in all different food categories except baby foods. The highest ITX concentrations were in snack foods (17.2 ppb) and fruit juices (15 ppb). • BP was the most detected PI in different food categories. • ITX was detected in all different food categories except baby foods. • DHBP, OXBP, EA, DEAB, and 2,4-DHBP were not detected in all analyzed samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of rice-based foods provides essential nutrients required for infants and toddlers' growth. However, they could contain toxic and excess essential elements that may affect human health. The study aims to determine the composition of rice-based baby foods in the USA and outside and conduct a multiple-life stages probabilistic exposure and risk assessment of toxic and essential elements in children. Elemental concentrations were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in thirty-three rice-based baby foods. This includes 2 infant formulas, 11 rice baby cereals, and 20 rice snacks produced primarily in the United States, China, and other countries. A probabilistic risk assessment was conducted to assess risks of adverse health effects. Results showed that infant formula had higher median concentrations of selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K) compared to rice baby cereal and rice snacks. On the contrary, rice snacks had the highest median concentration of Arsenic (As) (127 μg/kg) while rice baby cereals showed the highest median concentration of Cd (7 μg/kg). A higher lifetime estimated daily intake was observed for samples manufactured in the USA compared to those from China and other countries. Hazard quotient (HQ < 1) values were suggestive of minimal adverse health effects. However, lifetime carcinogenic risk analysis based on total As indicated an unacceptable cancer risk (>1E-04). These findings show a need for ongoing monitoring of rice-based foods consumed by infants and toddlers as supplementary and substitutes for breast milk or weaning food options. This can be useful in risk reduction and mitigation of early life exposure to improve health outcomes. • Infant formula had higher median concentrations of the essential elements than other baby foods except for iron. • The highest median concentration of Arsenic and Cadmium were detected in rice snacks and rice baby cereal, respectively. • Only three baby food samples from other countries contained lead but those from the USA contained negligible levels. • Lifetime cancer risk indicated increased risks associated with early life exposure to total As. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins are groups of mycotoxins that can be generally found in foods, particularly cereals and nuts. Cereal-based baby foods are important energy supplement sources, though the possibility of mycotoxin contamination in these products have been reported frequently. this systematic review and meta-analysis study was designed to survey the occurrence rate of aflatoxins in cereal-based baby food products and conduct a risk assessment with the data gathered. Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, AGRICOLA, and Google Scholar were searched systematically from 2000 to 2020. The overall prevalence of aflatoxins was counted as 23% (95% CI: 15–32%). A highly severe heterogeneity of results was observed, and no subgroups could explore the source for this outcome. In contrast, African countries' subgroups and assessment methods applying for aflatoxins determination were the primary sources of prevalence changes. Also, risk assessment results indicated that baby food consumption induces risk for consumers, and roughly 75% of the world's baby's population is at risk considering the Margin of Exposure (MoE) < 10,000. To conclude, cereal-based foods are important sources of nutrition for any group of consumers universally, hence stressing the need for stringent control measures to avoid aflatoxins contamination in these crucial food products. [Display omitted] • Pooled prevalence of aflatoxins in commercial baby foods is estimated of 23%. • Applying ELISA to detect Aflatoxins is a primary source of high pooled prevalence. • The highest and lowest prevalence was found in African and European countries, respectively. • 75% of babies aged< 2 years consumed baby foods are at risk (MOE<10,000). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type of infant feeding has been linked to later nutritional outcomes, including dietary diversity and obesity in childhood. Little is known about how introduction to complementary feeding and diet quality in early childhood vary by infant feeding type and sex.Objective: Our objective was to investigate whether early childhood dietary patterns vary by infant feeding type and sex.Methods: Data from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Infants and Toddler Feeding Practices Study 2 (ITFPS-2) was used, including children with complete information on the WIC infant food package received at ages 1, 7, and 11 mo (N = 2839). Based on this information, children were grouped as fully breastfed, mostly breastfed, mostly formula fed, and fully formula fed. Outcomes include introduction of complementary foods; caloric intake aged between 1 and 36 mo; and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 between 13 and 36 mo. Mixed models were used adjusting for child's, mother's, and family's sociodemographic characteristics.Results: Across all infant feeding groups, the mean age of introduction to any solids was before the age of 6 mo; fully breastfed children were introduced to complementary foods closer to the recommended age (mean 5.1-5.2 mo) compared with other feeding groups (mean 4.6-4.8 mo). Fully formula fed infants consumed significantly more energy than fully breastfed infants at ages 1 mo (boys = 55 kcal/d, girls = 47 kcal/d), 12 mo (boys = 68 kcal/d, girls = 59 kcal/d), 24 mo (boys = 81 kcal/d, girls = 71 kcal/d), and 36 mo (boys = 95 kcal/d, girls = 83 kcal/d). No meaningful differences were observed for HEI-2015 between infant feeding groups or child sex, with average scores of HEI-2015 for all children being 61-63 out of 100.Conclusion: Early childhood dietary patterns were slightly better among children who were fully breastfed as infants, compared with children in other infant feeding groups. The diets of all WIC-participating children could be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast feeding and human milk are the standards for infant feeding and nutrition. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant solid component in human milk. To date, more than 200 structural different HMOs have been identified and some can be synthesized by the food industry. HMOs are one of the major differences between human milk and formula milk, and current evidence demonstrates their various beneficial effects toward infants' health: acting as anti-adhesive antimicrobials, immune modulators, and intestinal cell response modulators, as well as providing prebiotics effect and neurodevelopment and cognition effects. HMOs compositions vary among mothers, influenced by the stage of lactation, duration of pregnancy and maternal genetic factors. However, there are still some unknown factors affecting the compositions of HMOs and requiring further research for clarification. A combination of preclinical and clinical cohort studies may help to identify whether an individual HMO contributes to disease protection. In recent years, 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) have been approved as food ingredients by official authorities. Infant formulae supplemented with these HMOs are well-tolerated. However, more prospective clinical studies are warranted to elucidate HMOs' significance in infant nutrition. Breast milk feeding remains the best option for infants nutrition and development. Whenever breast milk is not adequate or unavailable, infant formula supplemented with HMOs might be considered as an alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The initial stages of human life including the fetal period, infancy and early childhood are the most critical periods of human growth and development. Due to immature immune system and rapid development phase, this is the most sensitive phase to health challenges. The exposure to xenobiotics of high toxicity, such as aflatoxins (AFs), can interfere with normal development of the body and potentially lead to severe health complications. This article provides a comprehensive review on the occurrence and health implications of AFs exposure in the early stages of life, including the impacts on child growth, development, immune and hepatic systems. The mechanisms involved in AFs' toxicity and control measures in infant foods are also described, along with a discussion on recent intervention strategies to mitigate the early life exposure to dietary AFs. Human AFs exposure via utero and through breast milk, infant formula milk and infant foods has been linked to a number of health implications including adverse birth outcomes, impaired growth and development, suppressed immune system, and hepatic dysfunction, especially in African and Asian countries. The occurrence of AFs in infant foods in developing countries, even when reasonably strict regulations are in place, indicate that much needs to be done to ensure the proper implementation of the regulations, in order to achieve significant reductions in exposure. This carries with it many economic and cultural challenges that need to be addressed, including implementation of good agricultural practices and intervention programs aiming to supplement nutrients to reduce child malnutrition and decrease the consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated foods. [Display omitted] • Occurrence and health implications of dietary aflatoxins in early life stages. • High exposure of pregnant women to aflatoxins in some African and Asian countries. • Severe impact of aflatoxins on infant growth, development, liver and immune system. • Intervention strategies needed to mitigate the early life exposure to aflatoxins in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are indications for tracking of circulating total cholesterol concentration (TC) from childhood to later in life. An increased lifelong TC exposure increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis, however little is known about the determinants of TC early in life. We aimed to describe TC in Norwegian offspring aged 6, 12 and 24 months, and to explore if maternal TC, breastfeeding and offspring diet are associated with offspring TC. In this cross-sectional study, mothers of offspring aged 6 (n = 629), 12 (n = 258) and 24 (n = 263) months completed a questionnaire of the offspring's diet and took home-based dried blood spot samples from themselves and their offspring. The mothers and offspring participating at age 12 months also participated at age 6 months of the offspring. Offspring TC showed a wide range in all three age groups. Twenty one percent of the offspring had TC ≥ 5.1 mmol/l. There was significant tracking of offspring TC from 6 to 12 months of age (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Maternal and offspring TC was positively associated in all age groups (0.20 ≤ β ≤ 0.40, p < 0.001 for all). Breastfeeding was positively associated with offspring TC at ages 6 and 12 months (0.05 ≤ β ≤ 0.26, 0.001 ≤ p ≤ 0.03), but not at age 24 months. The wide range in TC and probable tracking of TC from infancy to later in life highlights the importance of early identification of children with elevated TC who can benefit from preventive measures. • Increased lifelong cholesterol (TC) exposure increases the risk of atherosclerosis. • TC showed a wide range in offspring aged 6, 12 and 24 months. • There was significant tracking of offspring TC from 6 to 12 months of age. • Maternal and offspring TC were positively associated. • Breastfeeding and TC were positively associated at age 6 and 12, but not 24 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]