LONDON A three-month-old boy died of a salt overdose after his parents fed him adult food, AFP reported Tuesday. An inquiry into the death of Leroy Elders revealed that his hard-up parents, after comparing ingredients, fed their baby "ready brek", an oat breakfast cereal, and mashed potato with gravy, as they found the recommended infant food too expensive. Doctors said Leroy's body contained nine grams of salt, compared with a recommended daily maximum of seven grams for adult males and five grams for adult females.

The amount was enough to kill a baby, whose immature kidneys can only process a tiny fraction of that amount. The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death, saying there had been no intention by the parents to harm their child.