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Open AccessArticle

Toxic Elements in Beans from Zhejiang, Southeast China: Distribution and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment

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Sha Yu

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Xiao-Dong Pan

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Jian-Long Han

Foods 2023, 12(17), 3300; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12173300 - 02 Sep 2023

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Abstract

This study described the distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb in 692 bean samples from Zhejiang province, southeast China, and estimated the health risk using Monte Carlo simulation. The average levels of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb were 0.0349, 0.0379, [...] Read more.

This study described the distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb in 692 bean samples from Zhejiang province, southeast China, and estimated the health risk using Monte Carlo simulation. The average levels of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb were 0.0349, 0.0379, 0.246, 0.0019, and 0.0246 mg kg⁻¹. Correlation analyses showed very strong positive correlations for Cd-Pb in kidney beans and mung beans, Cd-As in black beans, and Pb-As in red beans. The target hazard quotients (THQs) were adopted for non-carcinogenic risk assessment, and THQs at the 50th percentile were all less than 1, indicating that there are no deleterious effects from rice exposure to these elements. When evaluating THQ for multiple elements, the certainty with a hazard index (HI) greater than 1 for children was 12.64%, for teens 11.54%, and for adults 1.01%. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the concentration of Cd in beans and ED (exposure duration) are the main principal factors that contributed to the total risk. The mean carcinogenic risks for children, teens, and adults were all less than 1 × 10⁻⁴, indicating no potential carcinogenic risk. Despite that, the routine monitoring of these elements, especially for Cd should be continued. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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Open AccessArticle

Are Chokeberry Products Safe for Health? Evaluation of the Content of Contaminants and Health Risk

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Małgorzata Elżbieta Zujko

Foods 2023, 12(17), 3271; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12173271 - 31 Aug 2023

Viewed by 467

Abstract

The health-promoting properties of chokeberry fruit have been confirmed in numerous scientific studies. It has been shown that the consumption of these fruits, due to the high content of bioactive compounds, has beneficial effects in neurodegenerative diseases, in addition to having hypolipemic, hypotensive, [...] Read more.

The health-promoting properties of chokeberry fruit have been confirmed in numerous scientific studies. It has been shown that the consumption of these fruits, due to the high content of bioactive compounds, has beneficial effects in neurodegenerative diseases, in addition to having hypolipemic, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, different conditions and methods of fruit cultivation, as well as methods of juice and fiber production, may result in a high content of toxic substances, which reduce the health value of chokeberry products. Many substances are environmental pollutants. In this study, for the first time, we examined the content of toxic elements (As, Hg, Cd, Pb), nitrates, and nitrites in all chokeberry juices (organic, conventional, from concentrate, and not from fruit concentrate) without additives and in all chokeberry fibers available in Poland. In addition, risk indicators of adverse health effects were calculated. The median content of the contaminants tested in juices was 0.461 µg/kg for As, 1.170 µg/kg for Cd, 0.427 µg/kg for Hg, 1.404 µg/kg for Pb, 4.892 mg/kg for NO₂⁻, and 41.788 mg/kg for NO₃⁻. These values did not exceed the permissible standards for the calculated indicators. There were also no statistically significant differences in the content of Cd, Hg, and Pb, as well as nitrates (III) and nitrates (V), in the tested juices depending on the method of cultivation and juice production. However, statistically significant differences in As content were found between juices from conventional and organic cultivation (1.032 µg/kg vs. 0.458 µg/kg) and juices from concentrate and not from concentrate (1.164 µg/kg vs. 0.460 µg/kg). There were no statistically significant differences with respect to impurities in fibers. It is shown that the consumption of chokeberry juice and fiber in the amount normally consumed does not pose a health risk associated with the intake of toxic substances; in the case of long-term fiber consumption, the Pb content should be monitored. In particular, organic juices and those not from fruit concentrate are recommended due to the lower As content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

Open AccessArticle

Prediction and Visual Analysis of Food Safety Risk Based on TabNet-GRA

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Foods 2023, 12(16), 3113; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12163113 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 450

Abstract

Food safety risk prediction is crucial for timely hazard detection and effective control. This study proposes a novel risk prediction method for food safety called TabNet-GRA, which combines a specialized deep learning architecture for tabular data (TabNet) with a grey relational analysis (GRA) [...] Read more.

Food safety risk prediction is crucial for timely hazard detection and effective control. This study proposes a novel risk prediction method for food safety called TabNet-GRA, which combines a specialized deep learning architecture for tabular data (TabNet) with a grey relational analysis (GRA) to predict food safety risk. Initially, this study employed a GRA to derive comprehensive risk values from fused detection data. Subsequently, a food safety risk prediction model was constructed based on TabNet, and training was performed using the detection data as inputs and the comprehensive risk values calculated via the GRA as the expected outputs. Comparative experiments with six typical models demonstrated the superior fitting ability of the TabNet-based prediction model. Moreover, a food safety risk prediction and visualization system (FSRvis system) was designed and implemented based on TabNet-GRA to facilitate risk prediction and visual analysis. A case study in which our method was applied to a dataset of cooked meat products from a Chinese province further validated the effectiveness of the TabNet-GRA method and the FSRvis system. The method can be applied to targeted risk assessment, hazard identification, and early warning systems to strengthen decision making and safeguard public health by proactively addressing food safety risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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Open AccessArticle

Metal Load of Potentially Toxic Elements in Tuna (Thunnus albacares)—Food Safety Aspects

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Foods 2023, 12(16), 3038; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12163038 - 12 Aug 2023

Viewed by 578

Abstract

The consumption of marine fishes has a positive effect on a consumer’s health; however, it poses a potential risk due to their level of heavy metals in their body. Heavy metals can be naturally found in the environment, but their concentration can be [...] Read more.

The consumption of marine fishes has a positive effect on a consumer’s health; however, it poses a potential risk due to their level of heavy metals in their body. Heavy metals can be naturally found in the environment, but their concentration can be increased with anthropogenic activities. Samples of tuna (Thunnus albacares) were collected at a fishery market. The potentially toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) were determined with a validated method in the flesh of fish using inductively plasma optical emission spectrometry after microwave digestion. Generally, the average concentration of them was below the official limit values regulated by the European Union, except for lead. Based on the concentrations of arsenic (inorganic derivates: 0.05 ± 0.02 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.03 ± 0.01 mg/kg) in the tuna fish samples, and their calculated EDI values (As: 0.03–0.09 µg/kg/day; Cd: 0.05–0.07 µg/kg/day), the investigated food could be declared safe for human consumption. Generally, mercury content was below the official regulated limit, and the calculated EDI value was below the dietary reference value (0.3 μg/kg/day) in most of the samples (90%), exceeding it only in two samples (0.69 and 0.82 μg/kg/day); thus, they may not be harmful to the consumer. The concentration of lead above the official maximum limit (0.30 mg/kg) in 40% of tuna samples (0.30–1.59 mg/kg), as well as the exceeding of the dietary reference value for lead (adult: 0.16 μg/kg/day; children: 0.26 μg/kg/day) based on the calculated EDI values (0.28–1.49 μg/kg/day), draw attention to the importance of environmental pollution and the protection of consumers’ health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

Open AccessArticle

Elemental Profile and Health Risk of Fruška Gora Wines

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Foods 2023, 12(15), 2848; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12152848 - 27 Jul 2023

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Abstract

The elemental composition of wine is influenced by endogenous sources and interventions from winemakers. The ICP-MS analysis of Fruška Gora wines (113) from vintages spanning across a decade (2011–2020), produced by 30 wineries and representing 18 autochthonous and international wine varieties, allowed a [...] Read more.

The elemental composition of wine is influenced by endogenous sources and interventions from winemakers. The ICP-MS analysis of Fruška Gora wines (113) from vintages spanning across a decade (2011–2020), produced by 30 wineries and representing 18 autochthonous and international wine varieties, allowed a comprehensive insight into their elemental composition. Based on the mean concentrations of 23 investigated elements, B, Fe, and Mn, which were determined in mg per L of wine regardless of its colour or origin, were the most abundant. Red and white wines showed significant concentration differences in the case of B, Mn, and Sr (higher in red) as well as Be, Al, V, As, Mo, and Pb (higher in white). The elements of the highest toxicological concern were found in all (Pb and As) or almost all of the samples (Cd and Hg). Pb levels (maximum 47.1, 61.6, and 73.2 μg/L in red, rose, and white, respectively) were well below the legal limit. The applied risk assessment approaches (hazard quotient and index, margin of exposure) revealed no health concerns associated with consumption of Fruška Gora wines, except for a slightly increased lifetime cancer risk in the case of high wine consumption, and thus supported the promotion of Fruška Gora wines in the highly competitive international market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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Open AccessArticle

Safety Assessment of Herbal Food Supplements: Elemental Profiling and Associated Risk

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Ljilja Torović

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Slađana Vojvodić

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Danijela Lukić

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Branislava Srđenović Čonić

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Sanja Bijelović

Foods 2023, 12(14), 2746; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12142746 - 19 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 845

Abstract

Increased usage of herbal food supplements by both the paediatric and adult populations prompted a health risk assessment study. The elemental profiles of 52 supplements collected in Serbia were obtained using ICP-MS. The calculated contribution to permitted daily exposure was in compliance with [...] Read more.

Increased usage of herbal food supplements by both the paediatric and adult populations prompted a health risk assessment study. The elemental profiles of 52 supplements collected in Serbia were obtained using ICP-MS. The calculated contribution to permitted daily exposure was in compliance with the guidelines for elemental impurities: up to 46.8% for Pb (infants), 67.2% for Cu (toddlers), 6.8% for As (preschool children), and 8.0% for Hg (adolescents). Hazard quotients indicated high exposure of toddlers to Cu (100.9%) and Zn (112.7%), although by only one supplement, for which hazard indices ranged from 229 to 105% (aligning from toddlers to adolescents). Based on the margin of exposure, As and Pb were not of safety concern. Conversely, the proportion of supplements exceeding the acceptable level of lifetime cancer risk due to As exposure varied from 41.9% in adolescents to 54.3% in adults. Simultaneous use of multiple supplements over a prolonged period of time could further deepen health concerns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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Open AccessArticle

Multivariate Assessment and Risk Ranking of Pesticide Residues in Citrus Fruits

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Foods 2023, 12(13), 2454; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12132454 - 22 Jun 2023

Viewed by 788

Abstract

Pesticides are extensively used in the cultivation and postharvest protection of citrus fruits, therefore continuous monitoring and health risk assessments of their residues are required. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of pesticide residues on citrus fruits and to evaluate the acute [...] Read more.

Pesticides are extensively used in the cultivation and postharvest protection of citrus fruits, therefore continuous monitoring and health risk assessments of their residues are required. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of pesticide residues on citrus fruits and to evaluate the acute and chronic risk for adults and children. The risk ranking of twenty-three detected pesticides was carried out according to a matrix ranking scheme. Multiple residues were detected in 83% of 76 analyzed samples. In addition, 28% contained pesticides at or above maximum residue levels (MRLs). The most frequently detected pesticides were imazalil, azoxystrobin, and dimethomorph. According to the risk ranking method, imazalil was classified in the high-risk group, followed by prochloraz, chlorpyrifos, azinphos-methyl, tebufenpyrad, and fenpiroximate, which were considered to pose a medium risk. The majority of detected pesticides (74%) posed a low risk. The health risk assessment indicated that imazalil and thiabendazole contribute to acute (HQa) and chronic (HQc) dietary risk, respectively. The HQc was negligible for the general population, while the HQa of imazalil and thiabendazole exceeded the acceptable level in the worst-case scenario. Cumulative chronic/acute risk (HIc/HIa) assessment showed that chronic risk was acceptable in all samples for children and adults, while the acute risk was unacceptable in 5.3% of citrus fruits for adults and 26% of citrus fruits for children. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the ingestion rate and individual body weight were the most influential risk factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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Open AccessBrief Report

Food Safety Controls during Bulk Food Preparation—An Observational Analysis

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Sri Harminda Pahm Hartantyo

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Foods 2023, 12(12), 2376; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12122376 - 15 Jun 2023

Viewed by 841

Abstract

Seeing the palpable impact of food poisoning associated with catering operations, we surveyed caterers with and without past hygiene violations to examine staffing, food safety practices and correlations with microbial counts in food and the processing environment. Past infringements did not negatively impact [...] Read more.

Seeing the palpable impact of food poisoning associated with catering operations, we surveyed caterers with and without past hygiene violations to examine staffing, food safety practices and correlations with microbial counts in food and the processing environment. Past infringements did not negatively impact the current execution of food safety measures nor the microbial quality of food. In preference to added stringencies for errant operators, we discuss alternative efforts to augment food safety, as well as the policy implications thereof. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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