Fluoride content of some common South Indian foods and their contribution to fluorosis

Abstract

Abstract Fluoride contents of 98 food items commonly used in South India were determined with special reference to the feeding habits of remote rural populations in 41 villages of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India, where dental and skeletal fluorosis is endemic. Fluoride up to 4.5 mg kg −1 was found in irrigation and drinking water supplies. Thirty‐two locally grown food items had generally higher fluoride contents (ranging jiom 0.2 to 11.0 mg kg −1 ) with the notable exception of coconut water where even traces of fluoride could not be detected. The combined daily intake of fluoride jiom food and drinking water in the local population was found to range jiom 2.2 mg to 7‐3 mg (0.05–0.32 mg kg −1 BW). The role played by food composition, cooking habits of the local population, general poverty and illiteracy in contributing to the prevalence of fluorosis in schoolchildren in the age group 6–18 years (even in areas with drinking water supplies within the permissible levels as per WHO standards) is discussed.