Enhanced Analytical Methods for the Specification of Sodium Fluoride (NaF) as a Fortifying Nutrient

This study aimed to enhance the standard test methods for sodium fluoride (NaF), a widely used nutritional fortifier, by evaluating a replacement for the costly platinum dish employed in free acid and free alkali purity testing.Purity assessments, including tests for fluosilicate, chloride, lead, loss on drying, and quantitative analysis, were conducted in accordance with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's regulations.Free acid or free alkali tests were performed using nickel, quartz, and Teflon dishes under conditions identical to those for platinum.In addition, the reactivity of each material with hydrofluoric acid (HF) was examined to assess its suitability as a replacement.NaF met the regulatory requirements for purity.Nickel and quartz reacted with HF, resulting in a decrease in the consumption of 0.1 N NaOH.In contrast, Teflon exhibited no reactivity with HF.These findings indicate that Teflon dishes can serve as a practical alternative to platinum in NaF purity testing, thereby improving cost-effectiveness and accessibility without compromising analytical accuracy or regulatory compliance.