The Public Health Significance of Controlling Contaminants in Samples of Milk and Dairy

Vesna Petković,Mirjana Đermanović,Vesna Lazić,Ljubica Bojanić,Slobodan Stanić

doi:10.18575/msrs.sm.e.16.16

Abstract

Introduction: Controlling the presence of contaminants or harmful substances in milk and dairy products provides early detection of risks since their presence, even in legally permitted concentration, increases the risk of damaging human health, especially children's health, such as allergic manifestations, and they can have potentially toxic, carcinogenic and genotoxic effects. Aim of the Study: The aim is to determine the frequency of the presence of contaminants in samples of milk and dairy products in the Republic of Srpska from 2010 to 2012 (metals, radionuclides, aflatoxins and residues of antibiotics and pesticides), and especially to point out their public health significance because of possible health risks. The aim of the paper is to emphasize the need for monitoring all the other contaminants in milk and dairy products specified in regulations. Material and Methods: The frequency of the presence of contaminants in the samples of milk and dairy products (n= 407) was determined on the basis of legally prescribed methodology of sampling, chemical analyses and preparation of expert opinion on food safety in accordance with current food regulations. Descriptive statistical indicators were used (a number of the samples, minimum and maximum concentrations). Chi square test (χ2) of contingency was used for testing the significance of differences in presence of contaminants and residues analyzed and recommended by regulations in samples of milk and dairy products. Results: The results of public health research of contaminants in samples of milk and dairy products indicate that no health defective food samples were determined at tested parameters - metals, radionuclides, aflatoxins, and residues of antibiotics and pesticides. A statistically significant number of samples examined on heavy metal content (83.29% or 339 samples) was determined comparing to the number of samples examined on the other contaminants and residues recommended by regulations in milk and dairy products (χ2=1000.776, p<0.001) Conclusion: The data obtained can serve as a basis for further analysis in the context of milk and dairy product sample monitoring. Although samples of milk and dairy products are safe, a long-term exposure to residues of harmful substances results in cumulative effect and damage health, meaning that each early detection of food risk found through continuous controls has a public health significance for preservation and promotion of population health in the Republic of Srpska.

Highlights

Controlling the presence of contaminants or harmful substances in milk and dairy products provides early detection of risks since their presence, even in legally permitted concentration, increases the risk of damaging human health, especially children’s health, such as allergic manifestations, and they can have potentially toxic, carcinogenic and genotoxic effects
The data obtained can serve as a basis for further analysis in the context of milk and dairy product sample monitoring
Samples of milk and dairy products are safe, a long-term exposure to residues of harmful substances results in cumulative effect and damage health, meaning that each early detection of food risk found through continuous controls has a public health significance for preservation and promotion of population health in the Republic of Srpska

Summary

Introduction

Controlling the presence of contaminants or harmful substances in milk and dairy products provides early detection of risks since their presence, even in legally permitted concentration, increases the risk of damaging human health, especially children’s health, such as allergic manifestations, and they can have potentially toxic, carcinogenic and genotoxic effects. According to the current Ordinance on maximum permitted levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs, the contaminant is a chemical, radiological, biological or physical substance harmful for human health, not intentionally added to food but its presence in food is a result of crop production, animal breeding and veterinary medicines administration during food processing, preparation, transport or storage, or the contaminant is a consequence of environmental pollution.[1] According to the Law on Food of the Republic of Srpska, food is considered harmful to human health if it contains contaminants, residues of pesticides, antibiotics, veterinary medicines and the other medical products exceeding values permitted.[2]. Public health problems of radioactive contamination of environment as well as food comprehend the incidents in nuclear power plants indicating the absence of barriers for chemical pollutions.[3,4,8]

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