Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

  Background and Objectives : Children are very sensitive against any heavy metal’s pollution in the food chain. Therefore, aggregation of high concentration of lead in their blood leads to anxiety. This study looks at lead levels in candy i chocolates and chewing gums which are subject to substantial consumption by children and to announce precautionary warnings where deemed necessary .

  Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in summer 2009 . Different types of candies , chocolate s and chewing gums in the city of Kerman were chosen as sample s . For this purpose, 26 types of chocolate and candy in Kerman 78 and 24 varieties of the 8 brands of gum were prepared. After preparing the samples, their lead levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometer type flame model PMQ100-X Philips was measured. Descriptive data collected were reported as mean and standard deviation.

  Results : Results showed that the minimum amount of lead in samples of chocolate and candy was 3.18 µg⁄g that was related to 4 samples of candy and chocolate made in Iran named Melody milk chocolate and Aydin Caroline chocolate, Neschfi Aydin candy and Honey Akvan candy . The maximum concentration of lead was 5.22 µg⁄g that was related to the fruit sample named Anata cherry candy . The average lead in all sample of chocolate was reported at 3.318 µg⁄g. The maximum amount of lead in gum sample was 27.20 µg⁄g that was related to the one Turkish gum named Relax and the least amount of lead (3.20 µg⁄g) was related to the South Korea gumes named Banana Orion and Lotte Spout and also Iranian gum named Avijeh. The average amount of lead in the samples of gum was 4.576 µg⁄g.

  Conclusion: Since the total amount of lead in samples tested over the limit set by the Food and Drug Adminstration of America FDA (1 μg/g), it is therefore recommended that health care and more control be exercised to prevent the introduction of new products containing high lead concentration. Producers must further be made to comply with set standards and limits .

  Key words: Lead, Candy, Chocolate, Chewing gum, Children, Kerman

  Funding: This research was funded by Kerman University of Medical Sciences.

  Conflict of interest: None declared.

  Ethical approval: The Ethic committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences approved the study.

  How to cite this article : Malakootian M, Nekoie Moghdam M, Jannati A, Pourshaaban Mazandarany M . Determination of Lead Levels in Candy, Chocolate and Chewing Gum Existent in Kerman in 2009 and Compare it’s by FDA Standard: A Short Reaport . J Rafsanjan Univ Med Scie 2012 11(2): 179-84. [Farsi]