The present study aimed to study the nitrate and nitrite contents of drinking
'., .i.e' and baby foods in Egypt and their effect on the 1eallh. Drinking water samples
were collected from 3 governorates in Egypt during thu year 2001 and the nitrate and
nitrite contents were estimated. Samples of fresh vegetables (potatoes, carrots and
squash) were collected and blanched and prepared as baby foods. Samptes of fresh
(r,_llts (appte. banana, guava and orange) were collected and juices of guava and
orange were prepared. Belila, boiled rice, Foul rnedarnes and lentil were prepared
Batly foods samples were purchased Irom local market in Egypt including Cerelac,
Gerber, RiRi. Galactina, phosphatin and carrot and the nitrate and nitrite contents
were estimated in the previously cited foods. The results can be summarized In the following points« 1·a Drinking water samples in GIza gOllerroorale contain great amcunt of nitrate
especiatly AI Haram, Fessal and AI Saf, the values ranged in between 27-69,
22-42 and 23·45 mg NO_l I L, respectively, areas contain low level of nitrate
content Such as lmbaba and AI Badrashin, the values ranged from 0.1-0.7 and
o 1 -5 mg NO} L. respectively, while the nitrite content showed 0.0 -1.3, 0.0 -
1.1, 0.0 -1.3, 0,0 - 0.0 and 0.0 - 0.2 mg/kg, respectively. The high nitrate and
nitrite contents suggested that sources of drinking water are mostly ground
water. b- Cairo and Kaliobra governorates have low level 01 nitrate and nitrite and/or free
of nitrite, the highest value or nitrate in Cairo governorate was 0.1- 1.5 mgl L,
and In Kaliobia governorate was 0.1 -10 mg / L. 2· The content of nitrate and nitrite in some baby foods' a- The blanched vegetables (potatoes, carrots and squash) contain 43- 95, 54-97
and 14- 78 mg nitrate I kg , respectively, whereas the nitrite content was 0.0-
0.5. 0.0-3.4 and 0.0 - 0.4 mg nltritel kg , respectively. b-The fresh fruit (apple. guava juice, banana and orange juice have nitrate value
of 10-22, 15-26. 7·16 and 18-29 mg NO) I kg. respectively. whereas the
previously .nennoned frUIts have no nitrite. c- Belila and boiled lice nave nitrate value 01 1 :i-24 and 15 - 29 mg N03 I kg.
respectively, whereas they have no nitrite. d- Foul Medames and boiled lentil have nitrate value of 35 - 42 and 19 - 28 mg
NO) I Kg, respectively, while they are free of nitrite. 3· The nitrate and nitrite contents of some ready baby foods: a· Samples of rice - carrot, carrot and vegetables have high levels of rutrate and
nitrite ranging 63.B , 56, 43.32 mg NOo I kg. 2.65, 2.3 and 2.15 mg NO_zI kg b- Samples of rice. wheat. 5 fruits, wheat milk, meat extract - vegetable, protein
and ohicken soup have middle values of nitrate ranging 16.75. 11 17,7.97,
22.34,1042,13.9 and 9.24 mg I kg, respectively. while the nitrite content was
0.238, 0.24,0.65, 1.23, 1.32, 1 24 and 1.88 mg NO, Ikg. c-Samples ot 3 fruits ,orange - apple and flakes have low level ot nitrate ranging
4.3, 0.23 and 0.58 mgt kg , respeotively, while the nitrite content was 0 5 mg N021 kg for flakes and the samples of 3 fruits and orange - apple were free of
nitrite 4- It is clear from the results of this study that the majority of baby foods prepared in
the house and lt1al already purchased from local rnarxets and drinking water
supplied to the child at the beginning of the fourth month in order 10 provide their
food requirements have amounts of nttrate or nitrite or both of them.