Study of Rapid Analytical Method for Fumigants in Powdered Infant Formulas by LC-MS/MS

A simple and rapid analytical method was developed for simultaneous detection of fumigants in powdered infant formulas. The QuEChERS extraction technique (EN 15662:2018) combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry enabled the preparation of test solutions by simple dilution without the need for purification using a solid-phase column. As a result of concurrent recovery test, two analytes-metoxadiazone and cyphenothrin-for nine samples (four infant formulas, four follow-up milks, and one hydrolyzed milk) met the management criteria of the guideline for validity assessment by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. Thus, The developed method was demonstrated to be suitable for rapid and simultaneous determination of fumigants in powdered infant formulas.