Free and bound monochloropropanediol and glycidyl fatty acid esters in baby foods by GC-MS/MS

Baby foods often include a variety of lipid-rich products that can contain significant amounts of contaminants, such as monochloropropanediol (MCPDs) and their fatty acid esters (MCPDEs) and glycidyl esters (GE). Infants and young children, due to their low body weight and high food consumption, are especially vulnerable to these compounds, highlighting the need for further investigation into baby food. This study aims to validate a previously developed GC-MS/MS analytical method for the analysis of free and bound MCPDs and GE at sufficiently low limits in four different baby food products: biscuit, meat jar, vegetable jar, and wet porridge. The method demonstrated excellent linearity, and sensitivity with LOQs ranging from 3 to 5 μg/kg. Accuracy was assessed through recovery experiments, yielding results within the range of 77–121 %. Additionally, the method proved to be precise and robust, and with acceptable coefficients of variation. • Method validation for free and bound 2- and 3- MCPDs, and GE in baby foods. • Remarkable linearity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision were achieved. • Robustness confirmed by deliberately changing analytical conditions. • This method serves as an aid in establishing maximum limits in baby foods.