Radiological characterization of commercial baby food in Sweden

All types of food contain radionuclides that are taken up from the soil and water. Therefore, food is an important pathway for the entry of radionuclides into the human body. Despite the necessity to minimize radiological risk during sensitive periods of life, there is a lack of knowledge regarding radiological risk through dietary exposure for infants. Therefore, the current study aims to determine the radionuclide content of commercial baby food in Sweden. For that, a survey of commercial baby food was performed in 2023, and radioactivity was determined by gamma and alpha spectrometry. The range of activity concentrations and average values ± standard deviation of the main radionuclides detected were: 35 – 210 Bq/kg _fw (120 ± 70 Bq/kg _fw ) for 40 K; 10 – 140 mBq/kg _fw (60 ± 40 mBq/kg _fw ) for 238 U; 30 – 220 mBq/kg _fw (100 ± 50 mBq/kg _fw ) for 234 U; 35 – 750 mBq/kg _fw (330 ± 260 mBq/kg _fw ) for 226 Ra; 15 – 3200 mBq/kg _fw (780 ± 1200 mBq/kg _fw ) for 210 Po; and 70 – 880 mBq/kg _fw (360 ± 290 mBq/kg _fw ) for 232 Th. Overall, low activity concentrations were detected, suggesting a low radiological risk from the consumption of the commercial baby foods investigated. • Higher level of 210 Po were detected in baby food with higher protein content. • Consumption of the baby food analysed is safe from the radiological point of view. • Baby food fortification influences the levels of 226 Ra and 232 Th.