Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety最新文献

Blockchain technology offers the possibility of solving trust-related challenges in the green food sector due to its inherent transparency and reliability. However, its actual effectiveness in enhancing consumer trust has not been fully verified. This study adopts qualitative research methods to explore how blockchain applications in the green food sector influence consumer trust and purchasing behavior through 3 dimensions: technology trust, information trust, and product trust. Findings from in-depth interviews reveal that enhancing consumer trust depends largely on improving consumers’ technology cognition, especially regarding the transparency of cultivation and production processes, which is important for consumers’ trust and perception of product quality. This study provides a theoretical foundation for empirical research on blockchain in the green food sector and offers practical insights for industry stakeholders.

Yak meat from different geographical origins exhibits distinct quality traits. Accurate identification of its origin is essential for protecting consumer rights and promoting the sustainable development of the yak industry. This study aimed to trace the origin of Tibetan yak meat using mid-infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis and machine-learning methods. The training set and test set achieved high accuracy using the back propagation neural network (100% and 95%, respectively), and 99% and 95%, respectively, using the Fisher discriminant analysis. Compared to methods that involve expensive instruments and complex operations, this approach offers a rapid, cost-effective and reliable solution.

Propionic acid is a food preservative classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and is known to inhibit mold growth. While it can naturally form in foods through bacterial fermentation, limited data on its natural concentrations in fermented foods can cause trade issues. This study emphasized the need for a scientific database on natural propionic acid levels in fermented fish products, referencing a 2021 case where Indonesian fermented fish products were refused due to the presence of propionic acid. Traditional Indonesian shrimp pastes were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), revealing propionic acid concentrations ranging from 1.33 to 24.49 mg/kg, with the highest levels found in Puger and the lowest in Toboali. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of propionic acid bacteria (PAB), which showed a moderate positive correlation with propionic acid content (r = 0.379, p < 0.05). This research provides the first dataset on natural propionic acid content in shrimp pastes, offering a scientific foundation for future regulatory and trade policy development.

Synthetic polymers used in packaging are harmful to human health and the environment. This study presents an eco-friendly polymeric packaging film for the food industry to reduce synthetic film use and enhance food protection. Biodegradable composite films were prepared using a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and starch, incorporating carbon char from waste banana peels and glycerol as a plasticizer. The films' properties were tested, revealing that the 5 wt% carbon film had excellent UV-blocking capabilities, with an improved water contact angle from 35.2° to 55.6°, indicating increased hydrophobicity. The water vapor transmission rate decreased from 71.42 to 45.42 g/m²h because of denser packing, while the moisture retention ability increased from 84.5 to 93.8% because of better hydrogen bonding and hydrophilic interactions. Microbial studies showed a 90.6% degradation with S. aureus in 7 days and 20.7% degradation in soil within 30 days, confirming its biodegradability. Overall, this green composite film is a promising solution for food safety and the reduction of plastic pollution.

Graphical abstract

In recent decades, diet and nutrition have become central to health, with particular attention to food supplements (FS), which represent an increasingly growing global market. Among single-ingredient FS, the formulation and composition of the product do not always meet the definition required by legislation. Hemp seed oil, known for its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and other beneficial compounds such as tocopherols and phytosterols, is derived from Cannabis sativa seeds. The composition and presentation of the product described in this way, however, does not appear to fully meet the European regulatory definition of FS. Despite this, the product thus formulated would appear to have a sales impact on the market worldwide. This short technical note aimed to evaluate these aspects from the expert's point of view, in order to analyze the legislative and market aspects, to safeguard the consumer and public health.

Mycotoxin contamination of staple foods, such as cereals, has gained attention due to its acute and chronic effects on human and animal health. Changes in rainfall patterns, drought, temperature, and carbon dioxide levels impact staple food production systems. Climate change increases the risk of mycotoxin contamination by altering temperature, precipitation, and growing conditions, which can lead to health risks and economic losses. It affects weather conditions, stressing plants, reducing their phytoimmunity, and making them more susceptible to fungal infections and mycotoxin contamination. To ensure future food security and safety, it is crucial to understand how climate change scenarios will impact crop production and safety. This paper reviews the occurrence of major mycotoxins in food commodities in Ethiopia, discusses their implications for economic and human health, and explores the potential effects of climate change on mycotoxin risk, highlighting research approaches for designing mitigation strategies.

This study evaluates the dissipation kinetics, terminal residues, and dietary risk of thiamethoxam and its metabolite clothianidin in okra under field conditions, using an optimized and validated dispersive solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The method demonstrated high selectivity and linearity (R² > 0.999) for both analytes, with recoveries ranging from 88.8 to 101.2% across different spiking levels. Method optimization included adjustments to hydration levels and adsorbent combinations, which minimized matrix suppression (reduced matrix effects to − 8.91% for thiamethoxam and − 10.4% for clothianidin). Validation confirmed low limits of detection (0.15 µg/kg for thiamethoxam and 0.73 µg/kg for clothianidin) and quantification (1 µg/kg and 2.5 µg/kg, respectively), with acceptable precision [intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations values below 12.5%]. Residue dissipation of thiamethoxam in okra followed first-order kinetics, with a half-life of 1.72 days and a pre-harvest interval of 8.11 days based on a maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.01 mg/kg, while clothianidin fell below MRL by day 10. Chronic dietary risk assessments confirmed negligible risk to adult consumers when thiamethoxam was applied at twice the recommended field dose (40 g a.i./ha). The findings highlight the rapid dissipation of thiamethoxam in okra, driven by its tender surface and high environmental exposure, ensuring safe pesticide use and regulatory compliance.