Do I need to worry about nitrates in baby food? Analysis commenced immediately after preparation and initial analysis of all samples was completed within five days of sampling. Boiling spinach will also reduce the nitrates, provided you discard the water. (Your local health department or health care provider should be able to provide guidance about how to get your water tested.). Member states are still required to submit monitoring data to EFSA. Now, beet juice would actually be here, but we always want to choose whole foods to maximize the nutrition. Iceberg type lettuce had a considerably lower mean nitrate level than non-iceberg type lettuce. Control materials are included in every batch at a frequency of at least one QC sample in every batch of twenty samples (5%). For UK grown produce rocket had the highest mean nitrate concentration (4131 mg/kg), the highest maximum nitrate concentration (8052 mg/kg-) and the greatest range of values (7990 mg/kg) I may have a new favorite vegetable. Shop for spinach baby food nitrates at buybuy BABY. Protected UK grown lettuce crops had a higher mean nitrate concentration than lettuce grown in the UK, in the open air. The amount of nitrates in a vegetable depends on the type of vegetable, the age of the plant, and environmental factors such as sunlight, moisture, soil composition, and fertilizer. Shop now! This project aims to provide detailed and robust information required for the relevant controls to ensure that any risks from nitrates - through chronic exposure via food - do not pose a risk to public health. This programme, which involves sampling and analysis of green leafy vegetables, provides the FSA with robust information to inform its policies addressing potential risks to public health. And baby food isn’t the only dietary source of nitrates. These samples were representative of the range of varieties grown in the UK and reflect various geographical locations, growing practices and seasonality. I stumbled across some information recently that surprised me. Climatic conditions and levels of light have a major influence on the levels of nitrate in certain vegetables such as lettuce and spinach; in general, nitrate levels are higher in winter. However, home-prepared infant foods from vegetables (e.g., spinach, beets, green beans, squash, carrots) should be avoided until infants are 3 months or older, although there is no nutritional indication to add complementary foods to the diet of the healthy term infant before four to six months of age." Introduction The European Commission has set maximum levels for nitrate in lettuce and spinach grown for consumption. Detection is based on flow injection colorimetry. Nitrate is reduced quantitatively to nitrite by cadmium metal in the form of an open tubular cadmium reactor (OTCR). Nitrates aren’t the only cause of methemoglobinemia. Data for the calendar years 2008 to 2013 are published with this summary. This Regulation set out new, permanent nitrate limits in green leafy vegetables and in addition MLs for rocket. Fortunately, at about 3 months of age, your baby’s stomach will begin to produce more hydrochloric acid, which destroys most of the nitrate-converting bacteria. However, the range was higher for summer samples and the proportion of samples exceeding the limit was also higher during the summer months Since most parents don’t start feeding solid foods to their babies until the recommended age of 6 months, there is little need to worry about nitrates. On completion of the monitoring period in April 2014 a new survey was commissioned under project code FS513408 to continue monitoring for the period May 2014 to April 2019. The nitrate content of spinach was also found to be slightly lower than that of beetroot, another vegetable that is known for its high nit… The raw data includes details of the analytical method, sample description, sampling method and analytical results for nitrate concentration in both domestic and imported produce. Sampling was carried out in accordance with the requirements of EC Regulation 1882/2006 and details of grower, produce variety, location, sample lot size and crop husbandry details such as meteorological conditions and fertiliser input were recorded. Results from the monitoring programme are broadly comparable with those obtained from previous years and have been submitted annually to EFSA. 450 mg/kg, 11.3% at approx. The AAP also recommends not giving foods with nitrates to babies less than 3 months of age. 18 times more nitrate than kale! Well water can be tested by a laboratory and should contain less than 10 ppm (parts per million) of nitrates. The monitoring results have been submitted annually to EFSA as required by the legislation. Where maximum limits have been exceeded, they will be expected to examine and/or review aspects of their agricultural practices that could have contributed to the results. Some foods (e.g., carrots, beets, green beans, squash, or spinach) tend to contain more nitrates than others. Imported lettuce samples had a lower mean nitrate concentration than domestic lettuce samples and mean nitrate concentration in UK grown spinach was comparable to that of domestic lettuce. Imported produce was also included. For that reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding and regular water testing in areas where only well water is available. All rights reserved. 100 mg/kg. Is there anything wrong with this page? Growers were informed of the results. LOQ = 50 mg/kg, LOD = 6 mg/kg, Blanks = generally less than 2mg/kg. How food coloring and additives affect behavior. Iceberg type lettuce had a considerably lower mean nitrate level than non-iceberg type lettuce. Using Fresh Turmeric in Turmeric Latte/Golden Milk Recipe, 5-Ingredient Creamy Cashew Cheese Sauce (Non-Dairy), Potassium Recommendation for People with High Blood Pressure →, Leafy Greens: Cabbage, Kale, Collard Greens, Do not store in the refrigerator (or at room temperature) for long periods of time – prepare and serve (or freeze) as soon as possible after harvest, Serve or freeze immediately after preparation, Discard if they have been in the freezer over three months, Thaw in the refrigerator – do not leave at room temperature for an extended amount of time.