Food Safety Analysis of Milk and Beef in Southwestern Uganda.

Keneth Iceland Kasozi,Andrew Tamale,Sarah Namubiru,Phyllis Candy Natabo,Pwaveno H Bamaiyi,Dickson Stuart Tayebwa

doi:10.1155/2018/1627180

Abstract

Background Inorganic pollutants in milk and beef are of major public health concern; however, information in Africa is still limited due to low food safety monitoring practices. In this study, we established levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) in milk and beef and obtained the estimated daily intake (EDI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) as measures of risk to the Ugandan population. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which a total of 40 samples of milk and beef were collected from Bushenyi district in southwestern Uganda. Samples were analyzed by atomic absorbance spectrophotometer, and the EDI and ILCR were computed using the US EPA reference values. Results and Discussion Heavy metal concentrations were highest in the order of Zn > Fe > Pb > Cu in milk samples, while in beef samples, concentrations were highest in the order of Zn > Pb > Fe > Cu and no Cd was detected. Furthermore, beef had significantly higher (P < 0.05) Pb and Fe concentrations than milk. The EDI was highest in children, and this was followed by very high ILCR levels, showing that milk and beef are not safe for children in Uganda. Bearing in mind that a high HI was shown, beef and milk from these regions are not recommended for consumption especially by children although more studies remain to be conducted. Conclusion Heavy metals in milk and beef of Uganda may predispose the indigenous community to cancer and other health-related illnesses, showing a need for improved food safety screening to promote food safety.

Highlights

Animal food product contamination with inorganic pollutants has increased due to intensified human activities and industrialization [1]. ese inorganic pollutants are a threat to animal life as they affect key physiochemical processes in animal tissues due to their toxic effects [2, 3]. is has led to a strain on the livelihood and health of people, especially in the developing countries [4, 5]
In Uganda, recent evidence has shown that roasted beef sold in Central Uganda has high levels of inorganic pollutants [11, 12]. is was a worrying discovery since majority of the beef supplied to Central Uganda comes from the cattle corridor districts, of which Bushenyi district is a part [13,14,15]. e consumption of contaminated milk and beef foods would subsequently lead to a buildup of heavy metals, Journal of Environmental and Public Health leading to the development of health complications
Levels of Heavy Metals in Milk and Beef of Bushenyi District. e heavy metal concentrations were generally in the order of Zn > Fe > Pb > Cu in milk samples, while in beef samples, concentrations were highest in the order of Zn > Pb > Fe > Cu, and no Cd was detected in both milk and beef samples

Summary

Introduction

Animal food product contamination with inorganic pollutants has increased due to intensified human activities and industrialization [1]. ese inorganic pollutants are a threat to animal life as they affect key physiochemical processes in animal tissues due to their toxic effects [2, 3]. is has led to a strain on the livelihood and health of people, especially in the developing countries [4, 5]. In Africa, contamination of major water bodies with inorganic compounds such as lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) [6] has been documented [7] and is thought to be associated with the indiscriminate usage of pesticides in agricultural farming systems [8, 9]. There is paucity of data due to lack of routine monitoring and reporting for the levels of inorganic pollutants in animal food products from developing countries [7, 10]. Inorganic pollutants in milk and beef are of major public health concern; information in Africa is still limited due to low food safety monitoring practices. We established levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) in milk and beef and obtained the estimated daily intake (EDI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) as measures of risk to the Ugandan population. Heavy metals in milk and beef of Uganda may predispose the indigenous community to cancer and other health-related illnesses, showing a need for improved food safety screening to promote food safety

Methods

Results

Conclusion