Fluoride is a halogen found in soil and water from natural and anthropogenic sources. Foods, such as cereals, fruits, and vegetables, among others, absorb and accumulate fluoride. High intakes of this element produce toxic effects such as dental or skeletal fluorosis. Fluoride content was determined in a total of 144 samples from different food groups (cereals and derivatives, fruits, tree nuts, dry fruits, mushrooms, vegetables, and legumes) using selective fluoride ion potentiometry. The fluoride concentration stood out in almonds (3.70 ± 0.96 mg/kg), walnuts (3.53 ± 0.62 mg/kg), bread (2.54 ± 0.85 mg/kg), and rice (2.28 ± 0.93 mg/kg). Consumption of 236 g/day of bread or 263 g/day of rice represents 100% of the recommended daily intake (DRI) set at 0.6 mg/day for children aged 1–3 years. In the case of rice consumption by children of these ages, it is recommended to use bottled water for rice preparation. The consumption of the analyzed foods by teenagers and adults does not pose a health risk.
27 December 2016 in Biological Trace Element Research
High fluoride exposures can lead to adverse effects such as dental and bone fluorosis, as well as endocrine and cognitive developmental problems. Water is the main dietary source of this ion, although significant concentrations have also been detected in other beverages widely consumed by the population such as soft drinks. A total of 200 soft drink samples (60 flavoured, 70 extracts, 60 fruit juice and 10 soft drinks) were analysed by fluoride ion selective potentiometry. A consumption of 330 mL was estimated for exposure assessment and subsequent F-risk assessment by soft drink consumption. The highest average concentration was found in extract soft drinks (2.45 ± 1.15 mg/L), followed by flavoured (1.71 ± 2.29 mg/L) and carbonated soft drinks (1.38 ± 0.40 mg/L), while the lowest was found in fruit juice soft drinks (1.09 ± 0.62 mg/L). The flavours with the highest concentration were tea-melon and tea-passion fruit with 3.66 ± 0.40 and 3.17 ± 0.56 mg/L respectively and the lowest was lemon flavour with 0.69 mg/L. The contribution of these beverages, considering the UL (Upper level) reference values set by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) are between 3.28–41.78%, depending on age group and sex.