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.
Edible coatings enriched with bioactive compounds represent a sustainable alternative to synthetic preservatives, offering both microbial safety and extended shelf life. This study introduces an active edible coating system based on whey protein isolate (WPI) incorporating safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius L. ) flower extract, applied for the first time in the preservation of Malatya cheese. The formulation contained WPI, glycerol, guar gum, and varying concentrations of safflower extract, and was applied by immersion. Antioxidant capacity was determined using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, while antimicrobial activity was evaluated through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion methods. Coated and uncoated cheese samples were stored at + 4°C and + 20°C for 21 days, and microbial counts were monitored relative to the 5 log CFU/g safety threshold.Safflower extract showed strong antioxidant activity (92.9% DPPH scavenging) and moderate antimicrobial activity (MIC 5000 ppm). Cheese samples coated with safflower-enriched formulations, particularly EC4, maintained microbial counts below the safety threshold under refrigeration, whereas uncoated samples exceeded this limit within 7 days. FTIR, TGA, and DSC analyses revealed hydrogen bonding and improved stability of the coating matrix, suggesting gradual release of bioactive compounds.In conclusion, safflower-enriched coatings function as innovative active packaging materials by combining antimicrobial and antioxidant effects to improve microbial safety and extend cheese shelf life. Although the antimicrobial efficacy of safflower extract was moderate, this first report highlights its potential as a natural preservative and suggests future optimization for industrial application.
The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of poultry farmers are crucial to the responsible use of antimicrobials in poultry farming and to preventing the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, information on poultry producers’ awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antimicrobial use (AMR) and AMR remains limited in Hossaina town, Central Ethiopia. The main objective of this questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey conducted between October 2023 and June 2024 was to assess the KAP of 36 individuals from 19 conventional poultry farms in Hossaina town, central Ethiopia. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with the chief managers of the selected farms. The results showed that most participants had low levels of knowledge (50.0
This study provides an indicative assessment of pesticide residues and the associated dietary health risks in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) from three key producing governorates in Egypt: Minya, Assiut, and Gharbia. A multi-residue analytical approach revealed the presence of 28 pesticides, with more than 75
Veterinary drug residues in animal-derived foods, including antimicrobials, anthelmintics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and hormonal agents, pose significant risks to food safety, human health, and antimicrobial resistance mitigation. Persistent contamination arises from interspecies pharmacokinetic variability, non-compliance with withdrawal periods, and inadequate analytical infrastructure, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Established detection platforms such as liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays remain the foundation of regulatory monitoring, while emerging tools including CRISPR-Cas biosensors, nanomaterial-based electrochemical assays, and artificial intelligence assisted spectroscopic systems show promise but remain largely at the proof-of-concept or research stage and are not yet routinely applicable in regulatory enforcement. Thermal treatments, fermentation, and storage can modify drug stability, generate degradation products, and alter toxicological profiles, yet these transformations are rarely incorporated into surveillance strategies or Maximum Residue Limit determinations. This review synthesizes evidence across pharmacokinetic determinants, processing-induced residue transformations, analytical innovation, and international regulatory frameworks within a One Health and food safety risk assessment perspective. It argues that integrating processing-adjusted exposure data, harmonizing Maximum Residue Limit policies across jurisdictions, and strengthening analytical capacity in resource-limited settings are essential for equitable food safety governance and sustainable animal production systems.
Abstract Aspergillus section Flavi produces naturally occurring secondary metabolites called aflatoxins. Maize is vital to the livelihood of poor people and the rural economies of many developing countries. Aflatoxin contamination is prevalent in maize, making it one of the most susceptible grains. This study compares pre- and post-harvest practices used by farmers in two agroecological zones in Ghana and relates them to practices that prevent aflatoxin contamination of maize. It was conducted in Ghana's forest and savannah agroecological zones between September 2019 and March 2020. 800 individuals were selected for the study using a multistage selection approach that adhered to probability sampling techniques. A semi-structured questionnaire was the primary method and data collection tool. A 1kg maize sample was obtained from farmers for aflatoxin analysis. Pre-harvest practices such as weed control, fertiliser application, irrigation, and aflasafe application were used by farmers in both ecological zones. Chemical weed control was used by most farmers (64.9%) in both zones. Fertiliser application was common among farmers in the savannah zone (97%), while pest control was common in the forest zone (87%). Only 3.2% of the farmers use irrigation, and 3.1% use aflasafe. Some post-harvest practices in both zones included drying, sorting, shelling, and packaging. Most farmers (87.9%) allowed their maize to dry fully on the farm before harvesting. The main method of shelling in the forest zone was beating (74.9%), while shellers were used in the savannah zone (90.6%). Most farmers (74.0%) used sorted grains as animal feed, and 25.0% as food. 3.9% of farmers used Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags. Farmers should be educated on the right pre-harvest interventions, such as timely weeding, proper irrigation, fertiliser application, and aflasafe application, as well as post-harvest interventions, including correct drying methods, proper packaging during storage, and suitable storage conditions.
Aflatoxin B1 is a recognized dietary carcinogen linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its quantitative burden estimates remain limited in West Africa. This study aimed to estimate the burden of HCC attributable to dietary aflatoxin exposure in Ghana and Nigeria using the Integrated Hazard and Health Impact Assessment Model (IHHIAM). A systematic review of 65 studies (2010–2024) provided aflatoxin concentration data, which were integrated with WHO/GEMS food consumption patterns, body weight data, and probabilistic exposure modeling. Monte Carlo simulations at 105 iterations were used to propagate uncertainty and estimate attributable Years of Life Lost (YLL), Years Lived with Disability (YLD), and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The analysis revealed substantial differences in aflatoxin-attributable HCC burden between the two countries. Median five-year attributable DALYs were 503.67 per 105 persons in Ghana and 4,382 per 105 persons in Nigeria. These estimates reflect numerical differences in modeled exposure distributions and health outcome parameters but do not infer causation beyond the variables included in the assessment. The study provides a comparative, evidence-based quantification of aflatoxin-related HCC burden and demonstrates the utility of probabilistic modeling for dietary carcinogen risk assessment in high-exposure settings. These findings offer robust burden estimates that can support national food safety planning and guide future evaluations of aflatoxin mitigation strategies.
Probiotics such as Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae could improve food quality and provide a good health effect for consumers. The objective of this study is to detect the changes during natural and microbial fermentation of roe-free mullet fish (butterfly) conducted by two successive species, bacteria such as L. plantarum (L), and yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S), and their mix (M). Physicochemical properties of fermented mullet fish products were monitored. Moisture contents of all fermented products after 5 days ranged from 58.79
Access to safe food is fundamental to human health, creating a growing demand for efficient methods to detect hazardous substances in the food supply. Hydrogels, with their three-dimensional polymeric networks, offer unique advantages such as high surface area, facile functionalization, excellent biocompatibility, flexibility, and mechanical stability. In recent years, stimulus-responsive hydrogels have attracted increasing attention in sensing applications, particularly for food safety monitoring. Biopolymeric hydrogels represent a versatile and sustainable class of materials with broad potential in agriculture, food packaging, controlled drug delivery, and biosensing. In this study, biodegradable hydrogels were produced from modified starch (MS) and native starch (S), modified cellulose (MC), unmodified cellulose (C), gelatin, and glycerol using reactive extrusion (REX), and their structure–function relationships were investigated with emphasis on properties relevant to agri-food systems. Four formulations were fabricated and characterized in terms of porosity, open-pore fraction, thermal stability, moisture sorption, and pH-dependent swelling. Among them, the S.MS-MC-G formulation showed the highest porosity (45.34
In recent years, the use of fertilizers in Ethiopia has increased to boost agricultural productivity, without adequate consideration of their effect on the levels of metal accumulation in plants. Thus, in this study, the effect of fertilizers on the levels of metals in barley grains was determined, and the concentrations (mg/kg) found in barley grains were in the ranges of Fe (54.9–58.0), Zn (43–48.5), Mn (28.9–39.9), Cu (23.3–35.2), and Ni (4.9–8.8). The percentage recovery values were in the range of Fe (81.3–118
Food safety is a critical public health and economic issue in Afghanistan, where regulatory frameworks are evolving in response to complex political, social, and infrastructural challenges. This study examines the current state of food safety regulations in Afghanistan, highlighting progress made, existing gaps, and potential areas for improvement. Over the past two decades, Afghanistan has made notable strides in developing food safety policies, especially through the creation of organizations such as the Afghanistan National Standards Authority (ANSA) and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), which have taken steps to align with international food safety standards. However, the implementation and enforcement of these regulations remain inconsistent due to limited technical capacity, fragmented institutional coordination, inadequate laboratory infrastructure, and post-transition challenges that hinder monitoring and compliance. The analysis identifies serious gaps in regulatory coverage, including outdated legislation, weak surveillance systems, and a lack of risk-based approaches to food safety management. Additionally, informal market key players in the Afghan food supply chain often operate outside regulatory oversight, increasing the risk of foodborne diseases (FBDs). Through a comprehensive review of national policies, international collaborations, and practical efforts, this study offers a critical assessment of Afghanistan's food safety environment. It also explores opportunities to improve governance, build capacity, and raise public awareness. The study concludes with strategic recommendations, such as aligning standards with international benchmarks, investing in infrastructure and human resources, and fostering regional cooperation to strengthen Afghanistan’s food safety system in a sustainable and resilient way.
Antimicrobial resistance and drug residues pose a serious One Health threat globally, with poultry production being a significant contributor. The extent of this threats is largely determined by producers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antimicrobial use, resistance and residues. Despite global attention, empirical data from Ethiopia remain scarce, particularly in the southern region, and no studies have been conducted in the Areka and Sodo Zuria districts of Southern Ethiopia. This study investigated poultry producers’ KAP regarding antimicrobial use, antimicrobial resistance, and antimicrobial residues in the Sodo Zuria and Areka districts of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted using face-to-face interviews with poultry producers (n = 126) to assess their KAP regarding antimicrobial use, antimicrobial resistance, and antimicrobial residues. The findings revealed that a majority of respondents exhibited poor knowledge (56.4
This research investigates the efficacy of UV-C (mercury) lamps and UV-C LEDs in reducing microbial contamination on the surface of strawberries, while also examining bacterial survival and outgrowth during storage. The study utilizes predictive modeling to assess the inactivation/survival rates of microorganisms, providing comprehensive insights into the effectiveness of UV-C treatments. Strawberries inoculated with either Escherichia coli or Listeria monocytogenes were subjected to UV-C lamp or UV-C LED treatment for various durations, up to a maximum of 25 min. Subsequently, the treated strawberries were stored under refrigeration conditions to investigate the microbial response over time. In the case of UV-C lamp treatment, E. coli and L. monocytogenes populations were significantly reduced, with the maximum reduction achieved at 25 min of treatment. However, microbial reduction became non-significant at 15 min for E. coli and at 20 min for L. monocytogenes. UV-C LED treatment, with different light configurations, also exhibited microbial reduction, with the most significant reduction observed when all lights were on for 25 min. The maximum reductions achieved with the UV-C lamp were 2.75 log CFU/g for E. coli and 2.63 log CFU/g for L. monocytogenes, whereas with the UV-C LEDs, it was 2.39 log CFU/g for E. coli and 2.15 log CFU/g for L. monocytogenes. Our storage study revealed that both E. coli and L. monocytogenes populations kept decreasing over time until the sample was spoiled, with E. coli exhibiting greater resistance to UV-C treatments compared to L. monocytogenes. Predictive modeling using linear and Weibull models further supported these findings, with Weibull models showing upward concavity (α < 1), indicating microbial survival. In conclusion, predictive models provided valuable insights into microbial inactivation/survival, aiding in the optimization of UV-C treatment conditions.
Food fraud, including adulteration or mislabeling, is a significant global problem. The rate and type of food fraud may depend on the country. In the present study, we assessed the occurrence of two types of food fraud in Nigeria, a developing African country, and Finland, an EU country famous for its high food control. First, by LC‒MS/MS and ELISA methods, we determined melamine concentrations in infant formulas for sale in both countries as well as in whole pet foods available in Finland. Second, using bar-code end-point PCR and Sanger sequencing, we explored whether the species in minced beef products in Nigeria and Finland was correctly labeled. In all Nigerian and Finnish infant formulas and in cat and dog foods in Finland, melamine concentrations fell below the maximum acceptable limit. In contrast, all 10 Nigerian meat samples analyzed proved to be mislabeled, containing chicken, pork, or both, whereas all six Finnish meat products represented beef as labeled. These findings reveal that while melamine does not appear to be a risk in infant formulas today, even in Nigeria, mislabeling meat by substituting less expensive meat materials for beef seems to be there highly common. Therefore, broader nationwide product surveillance and stricter food control measures should be implemented in that country.
This debate examines how climate change presents complex and compounding challenges to food safety and nutrition within food systems in the United Kingdom. It highlights that risks extend far beyond calories, as environmental hazards such as extreme heat, humidity, drought, flooding, and rising CO₂ levels interact in ways that amplify microbial growth, drive mycotoxin outbreaks, introducing pests, pathogens and microbes to crops and livestock, as well as diluting the micronutrient content of staple crops and altering the nutritional quality and diversity of diets. The overlapping pressures pose a challenge to existing risk assessment models, which were developed in such a way that they handle single hazards at a time. Recent evidence indicates that the compound effect of multiple stressors may destabilize health outcomes, trade systems, and economic stability, as well as exacerbate health inequalities. This necessitates new approaches to food governance and collaboration with food system actors. To address that, this paper recommends the incorporation of climate-hazard tiers into regular food safety checks, revision of food-based dietary guidelines and surveillance systems to incorporate the threat of nutrient dilution of food systems, and investment in predictive analytics, such as AI applications and satellite observations, to forecast food safety crises in the region and globally. It also suggests a compromise between decarbonizing the cold chain and microbiological safety, as well as supporting calls to expand the National Risk Register to consider nutrient security risks, as well as food-borne disease, in times of disaster. This Debate asks how UK food-safety and nutrition governance should evolve in light of compound climate hazards that simultaneously influence microbial risks, mycotoxin pressures and nutritional security and recommends three immediately actionable steps: introduce a climate-hazard tiering approach, deploy predictive analytics for horizon scanning, and validate cold-chain set-points under climate stress.
