Mind the gap regarding the knowledge of infant exposure to mycotoxins, acrylamide, bisphenols and heavy metals through human milk

Breastfeeding offers infants nutritional, immunological, neurological and emotional benefits, although some toxic compounds can also be detected in human milk and transported along this food chain, such as mycotoxins, bisphenols, heavy metals, and acrylamide. This narrative review collects data from around the world regarding the occurrence of these contaminants in human milk with a view to evaluate infant exposure to these compounds and the potential associated health risks. The factors driving the presence of these toxins in human milk are explored, as are some strategies and measures to minimize their transfer to infants. The incidence and the levels of toxic compounds reported in bibliography vary, ranging from trace levels to considerably high concentrations. The data obtained suggest that breastfed infants better tolerate exposure to toxic compounds than infants fed with milk formulas, even though in some cases the estimated daily intake may exceed the established reference values. Certain measures should be adopted to minimize the exposure of mothers and breastfed infants to toxic compounds, such as monitoring of good practices throughout the food chain and dietary control, avoiding commodities more susceptible to contamination.