Food additives & contaminants. Part B, Surveillance最新文献

The material used for pizza delivery, usually made of corrugated cardboard, keeps the pizza warm, but may also serve as a source of metal contamination. This study evaluated the potential migration of Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Sn, Ba, Pb, Sb, and Hg from corrugated cardboard packaging into pizza, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after a 30-min delivery simulation time. Several metals were observed in packaged samples, with the highest levels for Al (8.430 mg/kg), Fe (13.10 mg/kg), and Zn (13.93 mg/kg). Non-carcinogenic risk assessment indicated values within acceptable safety thresholds, with the target hazard quotients (THQs) ranging from 0.01 to 0.52. These findings highlight measurable metals migration from packaging into pizza, though without immediate health risk under typical consumption scenarios.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants linked to various health risks. This study assessed PFAS contamination in commonly consumed food items in Luxembourg and evaluated potential dietary exposure. Between 2022 and 2024, a number of 204 samples of animal- and non-animal origin were analysed. At least one regulated PFAS compound was quantified in 48 samples (23%). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS) were the most frequently quantified compounds, found in 34 and 25 samples, respectively. The highest levels occurred in wild boar (1.14 µg/kg) and egg samples (0.21 µg/kg), while plant-based foods showed generally lower levels. Two samples (plums and potatoes) exceeded the indicative PFOA level of 0.01 µg/kg outlined in Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/1431. PFAS intake from analysed commodities did not indicate a health risk for the general population, though hunters and frequent game (especially boar) consumers may experience elevated exposure.

Combined mycotoxin contamination patterns with fungal sources were studied in maize, rice, and peanuts from Beninese markets, to evaluate population exposure by staple foods and to characterise its Fusarium species. An initial survey of 95 maize samples in 2022 showed fumonisins contamination up to 9900 μg/kg, with 20% exceeding the FDA advisory level and the EU maximum level of 2000 μg/kg for direct human consumption. Subsequent analysis in 2024 of another 69 samples also on aflatoxins confirmed the previous findings, with co-occurrence in many samples. Fungal characterisation from maize, sorghum and millet identified F. verticillioides predominantly in maize and F. andiyazi in sorghum. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that F. verticillioides isolates produced multiple fumonisins, while F. andiyazi produced only fusarins. These findings connect contamination patterns to their fungal sources in cereals and highlight the importance of ongoing surveillance for regional food safety, particularly given climate change impacts on fungal growth.

Jam samples from the Slovenian market, originating from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Serbia, and Slovenia, were analysed for the presence of 40 active substances authorised in the European Union, including 13 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Fourteen active substances were found in apricot, cherry, peach, plum, raspberry, and/or strawberry jam samples. No active substances were found in orange jam samples. By recalculating residues in jam to residues in fruit, using the fruit content in jam and, where possible, the processing factor for jam production, the residues did not exceed the maximum residue levels for fruit. Despite a high percentage of positive samples (65.5%), ecological samples were free from pesticides. Risk assessment indicated acceptable chronic and acute exposure for consumers.

This study investigated the prevalence and residue levels of the antibiotics amoxycillin, ampicillin, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline in pork sold at fresh markets in Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang, and Champasak provinces of Lao PDR. A total of 72 pork samples were analysed using electrospray ionisation liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS/MS). Antibiotic residues were detected in 56.9% of the samples and 4.2% exceeded the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). Tetracycline (47.2%) was most frequently detected, with a mean residue level of 5.3 µg/kg, followed by oxytetracycline (31.9%; mean: 11.8 µg/kg) and amoxycillin (8.3%; mean: 52.3 µg/kg). Ampicillin was not detected in any sample. Health risk assessment using the Hazard index (HI) indicated no health risks under the current dietary exposure. However, the presence of multiple residues in single samples raises concerns about cumulative exposure and potential contribution to antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the need for farmer training, enforcement of withdrawal periods and regular monitoring to protect public health in Lao PDR.

A non-targeted convenience survey consisting of 566 ready-to-eat baby foods was conducted in 2023 to determine the levels of total arsenic, cadmium, total mercury, lead and thallium. Data collection expanded the scope of food categories tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021, prioritising foods commonly eaten by babies and young children, while also including selected foods consumed by pregnant women and nursing mothers. Quality control was performed according to the specific food matrix category and target analyte. Arsenic speciation analysis was completed on a subset of foods and products containing fish were analysed for both inorganic arsenic and methylmercury. Arsenic levels were associated with rice-containing foods, lead with root vegetable ingredients such as sweet potatoes and thallium with brassica vegetables such as kale. The predictor model indicated no association between cadmium and any of the individual ingredients. Also, additional data are needed to support predictors for mercury.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a toxic metabolite produced by Aspergillus species, poses significant public health risks due to its carcinogenic and immunosuppressive effects. A total of 107 peanut and 18 peanut butter samples were collected from major retailers and analysed, using a validated ELISA method. Risk characterisation was performed through dietary exposure estimation and calculation of the margin of exposure (MOE). Although the concentration ranges overlapped, the proportion exceeding the EU maximum limit (2.0 µg/kg) was higher in peanuts (56/107; 52%) than in peanut butter (1/18; 5.6%). Samples packaged in Kosovo, despite varying origins, showed nearly 50% non-compliance. A substantial share of samples exceeded the EU maximum limit, rendering these lots non-compliant and unsuitable for consumption. Enhanced regulatory enforcement, routine monitoring, and improved post-import management are essential to mitigate chronic AFB1 risks and align Kosovo's food safety framework with international standards.

This study investigated the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in 87 seafood samples from five species of marine organisms along the coast of Khanh Hoa Province, Viet Nam, in order to assess associated health risks. The results showed that heavy metal levels in the muscle tissues of the cultured species were generally below the maximum legislative limits of Viet Nam. However, Cd and Pb levels in some cultured species were higher than the maximum limits set by the European Commission. Estimated daily intake of the metals was below the provisional limits. The target hazard quotient for all analysed metals was below 1. Only for cockle, the hazard index exceeded 1. Target cancer risk values of Cd, Cr, and Pb ranged between 10^-4 and 10^-6. The results of the health risk assessment suggested there is no significant non-carcinogenic health risk from individual metals in these seafood species for local residents.

Animal feedstuffs are prone to fungal contamination due to their protein content and high moisture levels at harvest and storage, often leading to mycotoxin production. This study investigated the occurrence of aflatoxins in animal feed and the feed ingredients cottonseed cake and maize oil cake, collected from livestock farms in Okara, Punjab, Pakistan (2021-2022). Aflatoxins were extracted with an acetonitrile - water mixture, purified with Mycosep columns, quantified by HPLC with fluorescence detection and confirmed by mass spectrometry. Aflatoxins were detected in 74% of the animal feed samples, in 87% of the cottonseed cake samples and in 63% of the maize oil cake samples. Notably, 33% of animal feed and 70% of oilseed cake samples exceeded the maximum limit of 20 µg/kg. These findings revealed a high level of aflatoxin contamination, particularly in oilseed cakes, with statistically significant results (p < 0.05), highlighting potential animal health risks.

Contamination by aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in Indonesian nutmeg poses serious food safety risks, as is shown by increasing export rejections. This study evaluates a monitoring program from 2017 to 2023 across farmers, traders, and exporters in North Sulawesi, North Maluku, and Maluku. Results indicate rising aflatoxin B1 levels over the monitoring period, with North Maluku showing the highest contamination rates for aflatoxin B1 (45.1%) and ochratoxin A (45.1%). Samples from traders with 5.25% to 16.37% moisture content showed the most positive results, exceeding the European Union maximum level for aflatoxin B1 in 17% and for ochratoxin A in 2% of the samples. Moisture control in the end products to below 10% did not effectively reduce contamination, as 72% of aflatoxins-positive and 68% of ochratoxin A-positive samples contained moisture below this threshold. The study recommends strict guidelines for handling nutmeg at all production stages to improve quality in Indonesian nutmeg exports.