Objective: To identify commercial baby food varieties high in nitrate
content using ion chromatography and compare the health risk associate
d with the consumption of high-nitrate water and high-nitrate commerci
al baby food. Design: Ion chromatographic determination of nitrate con
centration in a variety of commercial baby foods. Setting: University
Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City
. Patients: None. Results: Commercial baby foods with nitrate levels h
igher than 45 ppm include mixed vegetables, bananas, carrots, garden v
egetables, spinach, green beans, and beets. The amount of nitrate in o
ne 113-g (4 oz) jar of beets, for example, is equivalent to the amount
of nitrate in nearly 5.5 L of water at 45 ppm nitrate. Conclusions: A
controlled clinical trial is needed to clarify how consuming high-nit
rate foods correlates with methemoglobin levels in infants younger tha
n 6 months.