Cadmium and lead levels consumed by patients with oral hospital diets prescriptions.

Introduction: The levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in foods should be monitored as a function of health risks.

Objective: To evaluate Cd and Pb levels in oral hospital diets and in an oral food complement (OFC) according to their respective consumption by patients, and to estimate the patient's exposition risk.

Methods: The levels of Cd and Pb were determined by ICP-OES in samples of regular, blend, soft and renal diets and OFC, collected on 6 weekdays.