Nitrosamines in baby bottle nipples and pacifiers: occurrence, migration, and effect of infant formulas and fruit juices on in vitro formation of nitrosamines under simulated gastric conditions

The results of a recent survey indicated that the levels of various volatile nitrosamines in baby bottle rubber nipples and pacifiers decreased significantly over that observed 1-2 years earlier. Of 42 samples analyzed, 26 were found to be negative and only 7 contained greater than 30 ppb total volatile nitrosamines (mainly, N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrodi-n-butylamine). Studies with some older nipples and pacifiers indicated that significant amounts of nitrosamines could migrate easily into artificial saliva, and additional amounts of nitrosamines could be formed upon acidification of such extracts for a brief period. However, various liquid infant foods such as infant formulas, orange juice, and apple juice significantly inhibited the formation of nitrosamines from amines leached-out from nipples under above-mentioned in vitro incubation tests. Cow's milk was less effective in this respect. The presence of various N-nitrosation inhibitors such as ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, and possibly phenolic compounds in these foods was thought to be responsible for this inhibitory action.