Heavy Metals Contaminants in Honey and Dry-Cured Meat Sold in Northern Nigeria Markets

Abstract

Honey and dry-cured meat are common products for consumption and export in Nigeria but with a paucity of reports on their chemical contamination status. The occurrence of heavy metal residue in honey and dry-cured meat (Kilishi) for export in Kano and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria and their safety status were investigated. The toxic metals profile in ninety samples of each animal product was established by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS, M5 Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). The mean prevalence of Copper (Cu) in the honey samples from Kano Central was statistically higher than from other locations. Cadmium (Cd) contaminants occurred in the products at a range of 0.001-0.041 mg kg-1. Lead (Pb) and Cobalt (Co) were below detectable levels in all the samples. Due to the relatively high profile of Cu in both products, Cr in honey and Cd in the dry-cured meat, which was slightly higher than the permissible level in humans by the World Health Organization, there is a health risk concern. The Nigerian regulatory entities should always routinely monitor and enforce the set legislative laws to ensure a safe animal product for local consumption or export in Nigeria.