Occurrence of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, Acrylamide, 3-Monochloro-1,2-Propanoldiol and Melamine in Infant Formulas: What Do We Know About These Compounds?

In the manufacture of infant formulas, from raw materials to the final product, the ingredients are subject to high temperatures which favor the formation of undesirable compounds, some of them from the Maillard reaction, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and acrylamide, and others from thermal processing, such as the compound 3-monochloro-1,2-propanoldiol (3-MCPD). Finally, there is also a risk that the product may be adulterated with undesirable components such as melamine and cyanuric acid. Due to the vulnerability of infants during the first stage of life, this review answers the main question: How much of these undesirable compounds are present in commercial infant formulas, and what do we know about them? Accordingly, the review is divided into three sections: (1) Maillard reaction products (HMF and acrylamide), (2) products contained in vegetable oils (3-MCPD), and (3) fraudulent and/or adulterant compounds (melamine and cyanuric acid). The objective is to report on the occurrence of HMF, acrylamide, 3-MCPD, melamine, and cyanuric acid in infant formulas in order to support more solid public health policies related to infant feeding. These undesirable compounds represent a risk to infants, possibly contributing to kidney and neurological damage and causing mutations that increase the development of childhood cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to promote breastfeeding and establish stricter controls, with scientific evidence on the effects of HMF, acrylamide, 3-MCPD, melamine, and cyanuric acid in infant formulas to reduce their short- and long-term effects on infants' health.