Quantitative Determination of Fluoride Mass Concentration in Beers Produced in Croatia Using the Standard Addition Method in Potentiometry

It is well known that beer is more than 90% water, and therefore, water can be one of the main sources of fluoride in beers. With this in mind, the goal of the present study was to determine the mass concentration of fluoride in 53 beer samples. Using the recently published standard addition method in potentiometry, the fluoride content of 28 samples of the most consumed beers in the Republic of Croatia was determined. The remaining 25 beer samples tested came from so-called microbreweries, which together account for less than 10% of the Croatian market. Fluoride concentrations in light beers ranged from 49 to 180 μg L−1, with a mean value of 95 ± 34 μg L−1, and from 52 to 164 μg L−1, with a mean value of 89 ± 29 μg L−1 in dark beers. The mean value of fluoride content in beers from large producers was 100 ± 38 μg L−1 and 89 ± 38 μg L−1 in beers from small producers. All values are within the recommended range and thus do not pose a risk to human health. The statistical analysis showed no correlation between the mass concentration of fluoride and pH, i.e., alcohol content in beers.