The contamination of melamine was evaluated in 69 infants along with follow up formula samples collected from the market for the first time in Iran using HPLC method. Since there are no previous data concerning the contamination level of melamine in all brands of infant formula samples consumed using the HPLC method in Iran, this study is the first investigation in this regard. Our results showed that melamine contamination was found in 65% of samples, where mean and maximum levels of melamine were 0.73 ± 0.71 mg/kg and 3.63 mg/kg, respectively. The level of melamine in 10 out of 69 samples was higher than the maximum level set by the Codex Alimentarius in infant food (1 mg/kg). Melamine was determined in 67.8% and 50% of domestic and imported samples, respectively. The estimated daily intake was designed in two scenarios: it was calculated based on the mean level of melamine contamination and maximum level of melamine in the samples. In both scenarios, our results showed that melamine intake across all age groups is lower than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.2 mg/kg body weight, suggested by WHO (0.2 mg/kg body weight). Thus, it seems that the current levels of melamine in infant and follow up formula purchased in Iran pose no health risk for infants.
Keywords: Exposure assessment; Follow up formula; HPLC; Infant formula; Melamine.