Risk Evaluation of Acrylamide in Powder Infant Formula Based on Ingredient and Formulation in Three Critical Age Groups of Children Below 2 Years Old: Efficient Microextraction Followed by GC–MS Analysis Based on CCD

Acrylamide has been known as carcinogenic compound which is formed in carbohydrate-rich food. Formulation and ingredients of products play major role in the formation of acrylamide. Powder infant formulas are susceptible to form acrylamide and are expected to impose a high risk for children below 2 years old. According to three age categories of infant babies including 0–6 months, 6–12 months, and 12–24 months, the composition of powder infant formulas is different and expected to be affected differently during processing. ME-GC–MS method based on CCD was developed for the optimal determination of acrylamide in powder infant formula for critical three groups of babies. Limit of detection (0.6 ng g −1 ), limit of quantification (1.98 ng g −1 ), relative standard deviation (2.9%), and enrichment factor (140) confirmed the acceptable accuracy of suggested technique. The concentration ranges of acrylamide was determined 48–3191 ng g −1 , 918–5835 ng g −1 , and 1290–4400 ng g −1 for the age category followed by 0–6 months, 6–12 months, and 12–24 months, respectively. Analysis of market samples demonstrated that all selected brands of powder infant formula were remarkably contaminated with acrylamide. Levels of protein, carbohydrate, humidity, salt, and antioxidant have been considered and discussed in the formation of acrylamide in the samples. Acrylamide level was enhanced in formula designed for higher age category highlighting the impact of ingredients on acrylamide formation and this effect was more considerable in brands with regular product formulation. Graphical abstract