A method validation of determination of melamine in marketed infant formula and milk powder of Iran.

Melamine is a recognized food contaminant that can arise incidentally or intentionally in specific categories of food. This study aimed to validate the melamine detection and quantification in infant formula and milk powders and also analyzed 40 samples consist of infant formula and milk powders from commercially available food products, from different geographic regions of Iran. The approximate content of melamine in samples was measured by High-performance liquid chromatography-ultra violet (HPLC–UV) system. A calibration curve (R² = 0.9925) was established for detection of melamine in the range of 0.1–1.2 μg mL⁻¹. Limit of quantification and limit of detection were 1 μg mL⁻¹ and 3 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The presence of melamine in infant formula and milk powdered was investigated and it was observed that the amount of melamine in samples of infant formulas and milk powders was 0.001–0.095 mg kg⁻¹ and 0.001–0.004 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. These values were found to be within the prescribed limits by the European Union and Codex Alimentarius Commission legislation. It is important to note that the consumption of these dairy products, which contain low content of melamine, does not pose any significant threat to consumer health. Furthermore, the results of the risk assessment confirmed this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]