Abstract
62 Brands of margarines (margarine ; “high grade” 35, “standard grade” 10 ; fat spread 17) for household use (including for school lunch) were examined for nickel, iron, copper and lead. As reference samples, 28 brands of analogous spreads containing natural foodstuffs (chocolate 7 ; peanut 11 ; soybean 2 ; almond 1 ; mustard 1 ; fruit 1 ; jams 5) were also analyzed.
Nickel was found present up to only 0.05 ppm margarines samples and in 0.022.33 ppm in the analogouse spreads, though at higher levels in the chocolate, peanut and soybean spreads. Contents of iron and copper in the analogous spreads were higher than in the margarines (at 0.051.06 ppm and 0.05 ppm or less). Trace amount of lead could be found in all sample of the peanut and almond spreads and jams, but not found in all the margarines.
Results from trans fatty acid analysis indicated hardened oil to be present in both nearly all margarines and analogous spreads except jams. For the chocolate and peanut spreads, the content of nickel was correlated with that of protein and copper. suggesting that the heavy metals in spreads originate in the cacao product or peanut rather than material fat containing hardened oil. Nickel and other heavy metals in household margarines are thus concluded to be present at a much lesser extent than in natural foods, such as chocolate, nuts and beans.
