Neonicotinoid insecticides are widely detected in vegetables, raising concerns regarding chronic dietary exposure. The present study quantified 7 neonicotinoids in 178 solanaceous vegetable samples (tomato, chilli pepper, eggplant, pimiento, and cherry tomato) collected from Ningbo, China, using HPLC-MS/MS. Cumulative exposure was evaluated by applying relative potency factors method, with imidacloprid as the reference compound. All target analytes were detected, with imidacloprid exhibiting the highest mean residue level of 18.8 µg/kg, with a detection frequency of 44.9%. Although individual hazard quotients remained predominantly below unity, the cumulative hazard index exceeded 1 across all vegetables and age groups, indicating a potential chronic risk from combined neonicotinoid exposure. Chilli pepper and cherry tomato were identified as priority commodities, while children of 6-8 years were the most susceptible age group. These results underscore the necessity of cumulative risk assessment and commodity-specific monitoring for neonicotinoid residues in evaluating dietary exposure risk.
Organochlorine pesticide residues were determined in 180 animal-derived food samples (cow's milk, honey, and poultry eggs) from three zones in Algiers (Rouiba, Zeralda, and Beraki) to evaluate their chronic non-carcinogenic health risks. Method validation using GC-MS demonstrated high precision and linearity (R2 > 0.995), satisfactory recovery rates (76.9-91.4%) and LOQs of 0.001-0.009 µg/kg. Analysis revealed a pronounced geographic profile, positioning Beraki as a major environmental hotspot, with mean levels up to 15.18 µg/kg for endrin in milk, 11.44 µg/kg for γ-BHC in honey, and 39.46 µg/kg for γ-BHC in eggs. While dietary intake from Rouiba and Zeralda proved to be toxicologically safe, the cumulative hazard indices (HIs) for infants consuming Beraki-sourced milk (HI = 1.19) and honey (HI = 1.55) exceeded the threshold of 1. Conversely, poultry egg consumption was considered to be safe across all regions (HI < 1). These findings highlight a localised public health concern for the local population in Beraki.
This study assessed the application of rosemary extract (E392) in foods and estimated dietary exposure in China, using a stepwise approach, encompassing theoretical maximum use, enterprise-reported usage, and product-level monitoring. Exposure assessments combined national dietary survey data, regulatory limits, industry reports, and surveillance findings. Under the theoretical maximum scenario, estimated daily intake (EDI) approached the temporary acceptable daily intake (tADI) of 0.3 mg/kg bw/day, with P95 values exceeding it 1.5-1.9 times, indicating potential risk for high-intake subgroups. In contrast, enterprise-reported and monitoring scenarios yielded EDI values well below the tADI, suggesting negligible risk under typical conditions. Marinated meats, animal fats and compound seasonings were the primary contributors to exposure. Rosemary components were also detected in non-authorised food categories, implying possible carry-over effects. Overall, current use patterns appear safe, but improved additive traceability and targeted surveillance are needed to refine exposure assessments and support enforcement of regulation.
This study assessed the pesticide residue levels and their associated health risks to consumers in green pepper (Capsicum annuum), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) in Hai District, Tanzania. Vegetable and fruit samples were extracted by the QuEChERS method and analysed by GC-MS/MS. Twenty-two pesticides were detected, with seven pesticides-dimethoate (25.8 µg/kg), profenofos (36.7 µg/kg), malathion (59.8 µg/kg), hexaconazole (36.5 µg/kg), triadimenol (56.1 µg/kg), tebuthiuron (27.3 µg/kg), and azinophos ethyl (10.3 µg/kg)-exceeding their MRLs. While assessing potential health risks, four pesticides-profenofos, chlorothalonil, cyhalothrin, and malathion-revealed hazard indices above 1, indicating possible health risks for consumers. Continuous monitoring, proper training on pesticide use, and implementation of risk assessments for pesticides that contribute significantly to health risks are recommended.
Fermented foods are widely consumed for their sensory qualities, cultural importance and probiotic benefits, yet market-level data on nitrite and nitrate across different fermented food categories in Malaysia remain limited. This study provides a surveillance-based assessment of nitrite and nitrate in 51 commercial fermented foods sold in Malaysia, including fruits and vegetables (n = 11), beans and their derivatives (n = 9), fermented-type meat and seafood products (n = 23) and dairy products (n = 8). Nitrite and nitrate were determined by ion chromatography. Nitrite levels were generally low and did not differ significantly among categories (p > 0.05), although elevated values were observed in natto, turkey sandwich sausage and pork sausage. In contrast, nitrate levels differed significantly across categories (p < 0.05), with fermented fruits and vegetables showing the highest levels. These findings provide baseline occurrence data to support continued monitoring and development of specific food safety legislation.
Red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is nutritionally important and economically valuable in Ethiopia. As it is highly vulnerable, mycotoxin contamination was evaluated in 124 household-produced red pepper powders. Also knowledge and practices among these households were evaluated. Samples were collected at the time of processing and pooled into 40 composite samples, which were split into two 100-gram portions of which one was analysed immediately and the other stored at room temperature for six months. Twenty-six mycotoxins were determined using a validated UHPLC-MS/MS method, of which ten were detected both at production and after storage, with levels ranging from <LOD to 154 µg/kg initially and <LOD to 90 µg/kg after 6 months storage. At production 92.5% and after storage 75% of the samples exceeded the EU limit for AFB1. Several mycotoxins showed significant declines during storage. Findings underscore the need for improved prevention strategies and further research on storage-related detoxification mechanisms.
Tiger nuts, widely consumed in Nigeria, are prone to fungal contamination. Yet, little is known about the mycotoxin burden in drinks derived from them. This study validated and applied high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) to determine aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEN) in 30 tiger nut drink samples from Lagos, Nigeria, after immunoaffinity cleanup. Calibration curves showed good linearity (r2 > 0.98), recoveries ranged 76% - 113% and relative standard deviations were below 20%. Limits of detection were 0.44 µg/kg for AFB1, 0.33 µg/kg for OTA and 5.82 µg/kg for ZEN. Contamination rates were 13.3% for AFB1, 6.7% for total AFs, 30% for OTA and 20% for ZEN. This report provides a validated HPLC method and occurrence data that may support further routine monitoring and risk assessment of mycotoxins in tiger nut drinks.
Carbonated beverages, including carbonated waters (CWs) and soft drinks, are widely consumed worldwide. Although these beverages are consumed almost as frequently as drinking water, their regulatory standards for heavy metals are less stringent than those applied to water. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead and uranium and to evaluate potential health risks. Samples were categorised into four types: CWs, flavoured carbonated waters (FCWs), sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks (SCDs) and sparkling tea/juice drinks (STJDs). ICP-MS analysis revealed that levels of the four investigated heavy metals ranged from <LOD to 24.7 µg L- 1, with mean values of <LOD-1.5 µg L- 1. Cd was found at the lowest levels. Except for U, higher levels of heavy metals were observed in SCDs and STJDs. Overall, the findings indicate that all measured values remained within internationally accepted limits and the associated health risk was determined to be negligible.
Glyoxal (GO) and methylglyoxal (MGO) are precursors of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the content of GO and MGO in some Turkish confectionery products. A total of 20 samples were collected from markets and analysed for their GO and MGO content using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results showed that GO content in the collected samples ranged from 4 ± 1 µg/100 g to 748 ± 15 µg/100 g, while the content of MGO varied between 9 ± 1 µg/100 g and 1205 ± 74 µg/100 g. Although some of the samples had relatively high levels of GO and MGO, these amounts remained within the range of GO and MGO content found in other Turkish food products reported in the literature. To minimise GO and MGO levels, measures such as optimising process conditions, modifying product ingredients, and monitoring these compounds after production should be implemented.
Pb and Cd occurrence, as well as sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and nitrate concentrations, were investigated in 75 commercially available yogurts from the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Validated ICP-MS and HPLC-UV methods revealed good linearity (R2 > 0.995), satisfactory recoveries (90-108%) and appropriate limits of detection. Pb and Cd levels were below maximum limits as established by the European Commission and the Codex Alimentarius. Detection of preservatives in plain yoghurt was not interpreted as straightforward regulatory compliance, as it may indicate unauthorized additive use, carry-over, or product-category/labelling inconsistency. Exposure assessment indicated low non-carcinogenic risk for adults. However, children showed higher relative exposure due to lower body weight, with only the HI value for children in the Sulaymaniyah region marginally exceeding 1. These findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and refined evaluation of cumulative dietary exposure. It also provides baseline data for regional food safety assessment and risk management.
Mycotoxin contamination of poultry feed remains a significant food safety concern due to the frequent co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins that may cause additive or synergistic effects. This study investigated the occurrence and co-occurrence of aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA) and fumonisins (FBs) in poultry feed from two major regions of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 280 feed samples from Lahore and Rawalpindi divisions were screened using thin-layer chromatography and quantified by ELISA, while positive samples were confirmed by LC-ESI+-MS. Overall, 77.9% of the samples were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin, with prevalence rates of 79.3% in Lahore and 76.4% in Rawalpindi. Co-occurrence of two or more mycotoxins was observed in 42.1% of the positive samples, most commonly aflatoxins with fumonisins. Measured levels ranged from 4.16 to 251 µg/kg for AFs, 1.9 to 509 µg/kg for OTA and 210 to 49,200 µg/kg for FBs, frequently exceeding maximum limits.
The objective of the current study was to determine the levels of heavy metals in three spring plants (Gundelia tournefortii, Tragopogon porrifolius, and Terfezia boudieri), using an ICP-OES device in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Mean levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn in G. tournefortii were 0.07, <LOD, 0.27, 6.37, 112, <LOD, 6.50, 0.52, 0.15, 0.28, and 10.3 mg/kg, respectively; in T. porrifolius, these were < LOD, 0.04, 0.43, 8.58, 36.1, <LOD, 10.6, 0.26, <LOD, 1.09, and 10.3 mg/kg, respectively; and in T. boudieri, mean levels were 0.02, <LOD, 0.09, 12.9, 189, <LOD, 7.95, 0.10, 0.05, 3.66, and 33.9 mg/kg, respectively. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from metal exposure by consumption of spring plants were assessed, showing that there were no non-carcinogenic health risks for Iraqi adults, but children faced notable carcinogenic risks from As, Cr, and Ni in the investigated plant samples.
Levels of cadmium, copper, mercury, lead and zinc in fish from the Mexican Pacific are of interest because they are marine resources of great commercial value and high human consumption. To determine these data, fishes were sampled in the markets of the main cities along the Mexican Pacific coast, and the edible muscles were analysed using Atomic Adsorption Spectrometry. The results in the following commercial fishes were: Mugil spp. Cd 0.67 ± 0.15, Cu 0.53 ± 0.13, Hg 0.04 ± 0.01, Zn 10.9 ± 4.2; Oreochromis spp. Cd 0.70 ± 0.13, Cu 0.44 ± 0.10, Hg 0.06 ± 0.03, Zn 9.4 ± 3.9; Lutjanus spp. Cd 0.62 ± 0.11, Cu 0.38 ± 0.24, Hg 0.18 ± 0.12, Zn 8.1 ± 3.4; and sharks Cd 0.64 ± 0.07, Cu 0.51 ± 0.12, Hg 0.39 ± 0.23, Zn 8.2 ± 3.0 mg/kg ww. Cadmium content in fish from the Mexican Pacific coast was higher than the maximum limit, according to Mexican standards. Mercury levels complied with Mexican legislation and lead levels were below the limit of detection.
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants with carcinogenic potential. Their monitoring in food products is important for evaluating human exposure. In this study, four priority PAHs (PAH4: BaP, BaA, BbF and CHR) were measured in honeybees, honey and pollen collected from two apiaries in Bursa. PAH4 levels were consistently higher at the urban site than at the semi-urban site across all matrices, suggesting a stronger influence of local emissions, such as traffic, industrial activities and biomass burning in the urban environment. Health risk assessment focused on honey and pollen, indicating that BaP and BaA were the main contributors to carcinogenic potential. However, MOE values for BaP and PAH4 above the safety benchmark of 10,000 and ILCR values remaining within acceptable limits, implied negligible cancer risk for consumers. In general, honey and pollen were safe for human consumption. Bees and their products provided useful baseline data for future monitoring.
This study investigated fourteen elements in eight commercially available spices and herbs marketed in Kosovo, by using microwave-assisted acid digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The samples included single-herb products (oregano, parsley, dried parsley leaves, and turmeric) and mixed poultry seasoning blends. Elemental levels varied with botanical origin and formulation. Leafy herbs showed higher levels of calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc, whereas mixed seasonings exhibited elevated sodium levels, reflecting formulation effects. Chemometric analyses (Pearson correlation, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis) discriminated herb-based products from mixed seasonings. From a food safety perspective, the measured elemental levels provide screening-level information on the compositional variability of commercial spice-herb products, while regulatory compliance can be interpreted only for elements in food categories explicitly covered by current European Union legislation.
This survey studied potential human health risks through mostly consumed vegetables such as brinjal, sweet gourd, papaya, tomato, bitter gourd, snake gourd, sponge gourd, and bottle gourd in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Fe, and As were analysed in the samples by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean level of heavy metals in vegetables followed the descending order of brinjal > snake gourd > bitter gourd > sponge gourd > sweet gourd > tomato > bottle gourd > papaya. Estimated daily intake, target hazard quotient, hazard index, and carcinogenic risk value revealed that these vegetables have no negative impact on human health. Furthermore, principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and correlation analysis indicate that metal sources may be common. It was concluded that the studied vegetables may not cause human health risk and further investigations should be conducted on a larger scale.
This study investigated the occurrence of pesticide residues in tomato paste samples collected from Egyptian markets during 2024-2025 to evaluate their safety and potential health risks. LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analysis revealed detection of 70 and 57 residues in 2024 and 2025, respectively, with a noticeable decline in both diversity and frequency of violations over time. The most frequently detected pesticides were chlorfenapyr, cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, and propargite, with several samples exceeding their maximum residue limits (MRLs). Notably, chlorpyrifos residues persisted, despite its national ban in 2022, indicating gaps in pesticide regulation and application control. Health risk assessment identified haloxyfop, omethoate, emamectin, and chlorfenapyr as major contributors to chronic or acute hazard quotients, with HQ or aHI values above 100%, suggesting potential long-term health concerns. These findings indicate the occurrence of a potential of both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks for consumers.
A modified QuEChERS method coupled with LC-MS/MS was established to detect and quantify 46 pesticide residues in tea. The samples were extracted and subsequently purified using dispersive solid phase extraction sorbents such as primary secondary amine (PSA), graphitised carbon black (GCB), and octadecylsilane (C18). Matrix-matched calibration curves with regression coefficients R2 ≥ 0.99 were used to minimise the matrix effect. The recoveries of different spiked levels ranged from 65.6% to 120%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 1.7% and 8.9%. The limits of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.01-8.8 μg/kg and 0.02-29.2 μg/kg, respectively. A number of 305 tea samples of farmers' markets in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China, were analysed for 46 pesticide residues, of which 16 were detected in 211 samples.
A statewide survey was conducted in Tamil Nadu, India, to characterise seasonal variation in aflatoxin contamination in maize-based poultry feeds and ingredients. A total of 312 samples (156 each during pre-monsoon and monsoon 2023-2024) representing maize, cereal products, oilseed meals, and compound feeds were collected from mills, farms, and retail outlets. Total aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) were quantified by HPLC-FLD, with water activity (aw) and mycobiota profiling. Monsoon samples showed higher aw in ingredients (0.637-0.686) and feeds (0.624-0.664), with increased AFB1 incidences. Several maize-intensive categories exceeded the EU maximum limit of 20 µg/kg AFB1 in feed during the monsoon, with the highest level in maize DDGS (329 µg/kg) and Layer Mash II (64.7 µg/kg). Fungal isolates were dominated by section Flavi, A. flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. nomius. The study highlights a monsoon-linked, maize-centric risk and underscores the need for risk-based procurement, controlled storage, and enhanced seasonal surveillance.
