The physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of bakery products are key determinants of nutritional quality and stability. This study aimed to generate baseline data on unlabeled bakery products in Bangladesh by evaluating their physicochemical properties, fat content, and fatty acid composition, including trans fatty acids. An exploratory analytical approach was applied to widely consumed bakery products (biscuits, dry cakes, muffins, and chanachur) collected from major manufacturers and retail suppliers in the Jashore District. Total fat content, proximate composition (moisture and ash), and lipid quality indices (acid value, peroxide value, iodine value, and saponification value) were determined using standard analytical techniques, and fatty acid profiles were characterized with trans fatty acids quantified by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Total fat content ranged from 12.97
The study aimed to assess the influence of thermal processing on various nutritional attributes as well as benefit-risk ratios of Coryphaena hippurus. Raw, pre- cooked and canned fish were studied to assess protein lipid quality indices, mineral profile and benefit-risk ratios. The canned sample exhibited better amino acid profile including better values for protein quality indices. The chemical score results identified methionine and cystine as the limiting amino acids. ƩSFA, ƩMUFA and ƩPUFA and lipid quality indices were found to be better for canned fish sample. Potassium was the predominant macro mineral in all the samples, followed by Calcium for canned sample. Toxic heavy metals like Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic were below the acceptability limits whereas mercury was not detected in any of the samples. The benefit to risk ratios values were < 1 indicating the nutritive benefits of consuming fish products studied and pose no health hazards to consumers. Thermal processed fish had better nutritional indices mainly protein and lipid quality indices. Cystein and methionine were the limiting amino acids as per the chemical score for the products studied. ƩSFA, ƩMUFA and ƩPUFA were better for thermal processed fish compared to fresh and pre-cooked samples. Lead, cadmium and arsenic contents were below the acceptable limit and mercury was absent in all the samples. Products studies had benefit to risk ratio of < 1 indicating its nutritional benefits and pose least risk of consuming fish studied.
Chicken meat and eggs are important sources of high-quality protein and various nutrients essential for human health. However, they may also be contaminated with heavy metals, posing potential risks to consumers. Assessing dietary exposure to these contaminants is therefore crucial for safeguarding public health and improving poultry production practices. This study aimed to evaluate the health risk associated with the consumption of chicken meat and eggs contaminated with heavy metals from poultry farms in the in the Central, Littoral, and West regions of Cameroon. A consumption survey was conducted among 900 households across the three study regions to determine patterns of chicken meat and egg intake. Additionally, 48 broiler chickens and 180 eggs from laying hens were collected from poultry farms and subjected to appropriate pretreatment procedures. Chicken muscle, liver, and egg samples were analyzed for lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and mercury (Hg) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Survey data were combined with analytical results to estimate dietary exposure and assess both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Results indicated Cd concentrations in chicken muscle ranging from 27.3 to 29.6 µg/kg, while Hg concentrations in liver samples ranged from 798.3 to 845.5 µg/kg. Chromium concentrations varied between 53.7 and 60.4 µg/kg in muscle and 13.7–15.0 µg/kg in liver. All heavy metals were detected in egg samples. Estimated daily intakes were higher in children and adolescents than in adults and the elderly. In some groups, the hazard risk index (HRI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk exceeded safe thresholds, indicating potential health concerns. Overall, consumption of poultry products from the studied regions may contribute to heavy metal exposure and associated health risks, particularly for younger populations. Strengthened monitoring and risk management strategies are therefore recommended.
Micro- and nanomaterials have become pervasive across ecosystems, food systems, and human environments, raising urgent questions about exposure, toxicity, and long-term impacts. Yet despite rapid scientific advances, the research landscape remains fragmented, with inconsistent terminology, heterogeneous methodologies, and uneven technological capabilities across laboratories. The FHERITALE initiative—Food, Health and Environment Research Infrastructures to Tackle Emerging Priorities—offers a unique cross-domain analysis of these challenges and outlines a roadmap for coordinated European action. Drawing on the FHERITALE Policy Brief and White Paper, this perspective synthesizes current gaps, emerging priorities, and the strategic role of Research Infrastructures (RIs) in enabling a One Health approach. We argue that Europe is poised to lead globally in micro- and nanomaterial research if it can integrate RI capabilities, harmonize standards, and shift from descriptive studies toward mitigation, remediation, and policy-relevant solutions.
Abstract To cover the farm-to-fork continuum of a food system, it is necessary to tackle a range of risks associated with different domains, such as agriculture, environment, economics, nutrition and food safety. In each domain, several risk impact indicators are required, for instance in the food safety domain, several hazards (leading to a risk) have to be considered: pathogenic bacteria, heavy metals, etc. Obtaining the data to score the indicator is a scientific work that requires data and models. However, that is not enough: to aggregate the risk impact indicators, weights must be assigned to each indicator. In this study, the lentil food system was chosen as case-study, considering that its production and consumption may increase in the future. The expert elicitation process was conducted within a boarder Living Lab experience to address the inherent subjectivity of weighting procedures, while ensuring transparency, inclusiveness, and reflexivity in expert-based decision support. A group of 11 experts were interviewed regarding weights associated with 16 risk impact indicators. Their responses were scored along with their level of knowledge on each indicator, and then a more in-depth analysis was carried out to establish the weights for each indicator. The weights are presented as a probability distribution representing the variability in the 10 expert judgements, adjusted for the uncertainty (more exactly the lack of certainty) in their belief. This method for obtaining and analysing risk impact indicator weights, brings objectivity, transparency and robustness and then brings an added-value to a multi-risk assessment.
