The content of some trace elements in infant milk foods and supplements available in New Zealand.

The concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, manganese, nickel, cadmium and lead are reported for milk foods and supplements offered to infants before the introduction of mixed feeding. Levels of most of the trace elements in samples of breast milk and homogenised cows' milk were within the ranges reported overseas. Most of the milk products should supply adequate amounts of iron, copper, manganese and nickel to the young infant although zinc intakes may be marginal. Concentrations of cadmium and lead were well below the maximum values permitted by law.