Food And Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Research Articles

CRONOBACTER SAKAZAKII: AN EMERGING CONTAMINANT IN PEDIATRIC INFANT MILK FORMULA

Cronoba cter sakazakii ( C. sakazakii ) previously known as Enterobacter sakazakii is a motile, Gram - negative, non - sporing yellow pigmented rod, which belongs to lethal Enterobacteriaceae family. C. sakazakii is ubiquitously found in air, soil, floor drains, and dry product processing environment. It has been isolated from hospital s , clinical materials, and cutting fluids and is also present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, sputum, throat, nose, stool, gut, skin, wounds, bone marrow, eye, ear and breast abscesses . C. sakazakii is a virulent pathogen and can adhere to silicon, latex, polycarbonate, and stainless steel. Therefore, Feeding - bottles or utensils used to prepare pediatric infant formula (PIF) should be thoroughly cleaned to diminish the development of bi ofilms, which could be the source of infections. Due to its virulence, C. sakazakii causes life threatening infections such as septicemia, necrotizing enterocolitis, bacteriamia and meningitis. Hence, the regulatory authorities such as Food and Drug Admini stration (FDA), Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Canada strongly recommend breast - feeding over the bottle - feed to minim i ze the risk of infection s caused by C. sakazakii .

Dietary exposure to chlorinated pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables from Ghanaian markets

Analysis of 400 fruit and vegetable samples obtained from open and closed markets in Accra, Ghana was carried out employing a multi-residue method based on solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Generally, the data showed that most of the fruit and vegetable samples analysed contain residues of the monitored pesticides below the accepted maximum residue limit (MRL) as adopted by the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), although some pesticide residues were not detected in some of the fruit and vegetable samples. The results obtained further revealed that 20% of the fruit and vegetable samples were above MRL, 73% were below MRL and 7% contained no detectable level of the monitored pesticides. Estimation of dietary intake of pesticides from fruit and vegetables revealed that, pesticides detected in fruits and vegetables did not cause dietary intake risks. The results recommend the need for regular monitoring for pesticide residues of a greater number of samples for long periods, especially in fruit and vegetables, to protect consumers’ health.

Fatty Acid Profile and Selected Chemical Contaminants in Yellowfin Tuna From the Arabian Sea

Fresh yellowfin tuna (n = 110) collected for a period of one year was analyzed for chemical composition, fatty acids, nutrients, and toxic metals. The mean values of investigated minerals were 892, 2834, 0.81, 6.61, 0.38, 11.0, 0.94, 0.59, 0.71, 0.53, and 0.29 mg kg–1 for Na, K, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, Sr, and V, respectively. Average Cd, Pb and Hg levels were 0.016, 0.029 and 0.137 mg kg−1, respectively. The average concentrations of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were 196.56, 84.8, and 218 mg 100g–1, respectively. Yellowfin tuna contained higher DHA (148.2 mg 100g–1) than EPA (29.3 mg 100 g–1). A meal with 100 g of this species provides 48.6 and 71.05% of the required daily level of protein and EPA+DHA, respectively. Yellowfin tuna showed low thrombogenic (0.27) and atherogenic (0.43) potential and the value obtained for h/H index (1.97) indicates that regular intake of yellowfin tuna may bring hypocholesterolemic effect. All contaminants in the studied fish were either undetectable or present at very low levels when compared to the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), and European Union regulatory standards and yellowfin tuna would be one of the best options for people who frequently consume tuna fish to get sufficient EPA+DHA and essential elements.

Report on the two‐phase public consultation on the draft EFSA scientific opinion on bisphenol A (BPA)

Report on the two‐phase public consultation on the draft EFSA scientific opinion on bisphenol A (BPA)

Probiotics in animal production: A review

Probiotics have been recently defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization/ World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) as live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. A good probiotic should be non-pathogenic, non-toxic and capable of exerting beneficial effect on the host animal. It should be present as viable cells and capable of surviving and metabolizing in the gut environment. It should also be stable and capable of remaining viable for periods under storage and field conditions. Probiotics have been shown to promote growth, improve efficiency of feed utilization, protect host from intestinal infection and stimulate immune responses in farm animals. In laying chicken, probiotics increased hen-gay egg production. Weight gain performance was significantly increased in broilers and turkeys. In ruminants, probiotics also improved growth rate. Increased weight gain and higher efficiency of feed utilization were the results of the trials in pigs. Mortalities especially due to diarrhoea were reduced in pigs. The beneficial effects of probiotics in animal production have been related to different modes of action. The improvements in productive performance of all animal species fed with probiotics were mostly due to the fact that probiotics promoted the metabolic processes of digestion and nutrient utilization. Key words: Probiotics, nutrient utilization, immune, animal production.

Human exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury through fish and seafood product consumption in Italy: a pilot evaluation

The presence of selected toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), was investigated in fish and seafood products, namely, blue mussel, carpet shell clam, European squid, veined squid, deep-water rose shrimp, red mullet, European seabass, gilthead seabream, Atlantic cod, European hake, Atlantic bluefin tuna and swordfish so as to assess their human exposure through diet. Metals were detected by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS) and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (Hg-AAS). Measurements of Cd, Pb and Hg were performed by means of analytical methods validated in compliance with UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025 [2005. General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Milano (Italy): UNI Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione]. The exposure assessment was undertaken matching the levels of Cd, Pb and total Hg with consumption data related to fish and seafood products selected for this purpose. In order to establish human health implications, the estimated weekly intakes (EWIs) for Cd, Pb and Hg were compared with the standard tolerable weekly intakes (TWI) for Cd and provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs) for Pb and Hg stipulated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The found metal concentrations were largely below the maximum levels (MLs) established at the European Union level with the exception of Cd. This metal exceeded the MLs in squid, red mullet, European hake and Atlantic cod. Squid and blue mussel showed the highest Pb concentrations which accounted for 60% and 10% of the MLs, respectively. Highest Hg levels were found in predatory fish. The concentrations of Hg in swordfish, Atlantic bluefin tuna and red mullet accounted for 50%, 30% and 30% of the MLs, respectively. The EWIs for Cd, Pb and Hg related to the consumption of fish and seafood products by the median of the Italian total population accounted for 20%, 1.5% and 10% of the standard TWI for Cd as well as PTWIs for Pb and Hg, respectively. Furthermore, the EWIs estimated using consumption data concerning Italian consumers did not exceed the standard TWI and PTWIs, except for Cd at 95th percentile.

Biomonitoring Equivalents for DDT/DDE

Biomonitoring Equivalents (BEs) are defined as the concentration or range of concentrations of a chemical or its metabolite in a biological medium (blood, urine, or other medium) that is consistent with an existing health-based exposure guideline such as a reference dose (RfD) or tolerable daily intake (TDI). BE values can be used as a screening tool for the evaluation of population-based biomonitoring data in the context of existing risk assessments. This study reviews available health based risk assessments and exposure guidance values for DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane, CAS #50-29-3) and related metabolites and degradation products DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane, CAS #72-55-90) and DDD (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chloro-phenyl)ethane) based on both non-cancer and cancer risk assessments from the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), and other organizations. Laboratory data on distribution and toxicokinetics of DDT and metabolites and estimates of human elimination half-lives were used to estimate BE values (lipid-adjusted blood, serum, or plasma concentrations) corresponding to the various non-cancer exposure guidance values and cancer risk-specific doses. The BE values based on non-cancer risk assessments range from 5000 to 40,000 ng/g lipid for the sum of DDT, DDE, and DDD. The BE values corresponding to a 1E-05 cancer risk level for DDT and DDE based on the US EPA assessment are 300 and 500 ng/g lipid, respectively. Sources of uncertainty relating to both the basis for the BE values and their use in evaluation of biomonitoring data are discussed. The BE values derived here can be used as a screening tools for evaluation of population biomonitoring data for DDT and related compounds in the context of the existing risk assessment and can assist in prioritization of the potential need for additional risk assessment efforts for DDT relative to other chemicals.

Routine Probiotics for Premature Infants: Let’s Be Careful!

Recent technological advances have provided us with the knowledge that when one evaluates the number of genes or cells in the average human, only 10% are mammalian and the rest are microbial.(1, 2) The recent development of non-culture-based-techniques to evaluate microbial DNA is providing new insights into the relationship that exists between microbes and their mammalian hosts, especially the microbes that reside in the gastrointestinal tract(2). Manipulation of the microbial environment of the gastrointestinal tract using probiotics has been considered a means to promote health and prevent disease. Probiotics, according to Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) definition, are: “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” Probiotics are commonly found in certain fermented foods or supplements with specially added active live cultures, such as in yogurt and dietary supplements. Specific health effects attributed to probiotics that are currently being investigated include alleviation of diarrheal illness, constipation, urogenital infections, atopic diseases, and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).(3)

Survey and risk assessment of trace elements in foods from Taiwan containing red mould rice (Monascus) by ICP-MS

The concentrations of seven trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Se, Cu and Zn) in 93 red mould rice (Monascus) food samples in Taipei, Taiwan, were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after wet digestion. The results, calculated in mg kg−1 (wet weight) for each sample, revealed the general scenario of food safety in Taiwan: As (0.005–12.04), Cd (<0.0005–2.22), Cr (0.014–6.95), Cu (0.012–8.70), Pb (0.001–0.64), Se (<0.001–1.29) and Zn (0.020–67.02). Three food samples were identified with As concentrations higher than regulatory limits: a dietary supplement sample and a seaweed sample with As concentrations that exceeded the limit of Taiwan's health food standard of 2 mg kg−1, and a canned eel sample with an As concentration that exceeded the limit of Canada's fish standard of 3.5 mg kg−1. This study suggests that the estimated intakes of these seven trace elements from the consumption of foods containing Monascus pose little risk, as the trace element contents in the majority of samples were lower than the permissible/tolerable intakes per week according to the guidelines recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). Moreover, their concentrations in foods containing Monascus differ widely for different food varieties, suggesting that external contaminants and raw materials are the main sources of trace elements. This study shows that ICP-MS is a simple method proposed for the determination of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Se, Cu, and Zn in foods containing Monascus.

Colour additives in snack foods consumed by primary school children in Hong Kong

The objective of the present study was to assess synthetic colours in common snack foods consumed by children and the accuracy of labelling. Dietary exposure to synthetic colours was estimated using food frequency questionnaire data obtained from primary school children in Hong Kong. The concentration of synthetic colours in food items consumed was determined by HPLC with photodiode array detection. Dietary exposure to synthetic colours for an average primary school student was considerably lower than the acceptable daily intake for their age. Estimates fell below the maximum acceptable daily intake established by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) and European Food Safety Authority (ESFA). However, data from HPLC analyses showed that several synthetic colours, which were labelled as being present in the food, were not detected and vice versa.

Chemical composition of Annona senegalensis from Nupe land, Nigeria

The proximate, mineral composition, amino acids content and phytochemical screening of Anona senegalensis seed vegetable collected from different farm site in Bida town, Niger State, Nigeria, were carried out using standard methods of food analysis. The results of the proximate composition show that the sample contained 12.20% moisture, 12.10% ash, 24.00% fat, 17.60% crude fibre, 8.80% crude protein and 25.3% of carbohydrate, respectively. Mineral composition in mg/g from the results revealed that calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, lead and chromium values are 1.35, 0.47, 0.24, 0.48, 1.80, 0.29, 0.13, 1.10 and < 0.1, respectively. The phytochemical screening indicates the presence of saponins, steroid, flavonoid and glycoside in the sample. The results revealed high values of amino acid content in the sample and the values are comparable to Food and Agricultural Organization/ World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) standard.

Mercury and methylmercury bioaccessibility in swordfish

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) in swordfish (Xiphias gladius) present a food safety problem for many countries. This study analyses total Hg (t-Hg) concentrations in 27 samples of swordfish marketed in Spain in 2005 and in their bioaccessible fractions (soluble concentration in gastrointestinal medium), obtained after applying an in vitro digestion method. Methylmercury (MeHg) was also determined in the bioaccessible fractions. t-Hg concentrations in the samples were 0.41–2.11 mg kg−1 wet weight, with a mean of 0.96 ± 0.47 mg kg−1 wet weight. A total of 37% of the samples exceeded the Hg limit set by Spanish legislation (1.0 mg kg−1 wet weight). Bioaccessible t-Hg concentrations were 0.17–1.72 mg kg−1 wet weight (0.63 ± 0.4 mg kg−1 wet weight), corresponding to 38–83% (64% ± 14%) of t-Hg. Bioaccessible MeHg concentrations, representing 94% of the bioaccessible t-Hg concentrations, were 0.16–1.53 mg kg−1 wet weight, with a mean of 0.49 ± 0.32 mg kg−1 wet weight. Children and adults who regularly consume this product in Spain have Hg and MeHg intakes that exceed the tolerable daily intake limits recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). These results show the need for recommendations about swordfish consumption by population groups at risk in Spain.

Exposure to aflatoxins in Japan: risk assessment for aflatoxin B1

The intake of total aflatoxins (AFT) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from food in Japan was estimated from AFT and AFB1 concentration and frequency data in 24 foods (884 samples) from a 3-year retail market survey from the summer of 2004 to the winter of 2006, and by food consumption data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey performed in 2005. The AFT and AFB1 survey revealed that peanut, peanut products, cocoa, chocolate, pistachio, white pepper, red pepper, almond, job's tears, buckwheat and corn grits are considered to be contributors of AFT (or AFB1) intake in Japan (maximum AFB1 (AFT) levels ranged from 0.21 to 28.0 µg kg−1 (from 0.21 to 9.0 µg kg−1)) in AFT-contaminated food. A probabilistic approach using the Monte Carlo method was carried out to simulate an estimate of the AFT (or AFB1) intake distributions in each age group in Japan. In this study, AFB1 intake ranged from 0.003 to 0.004 ng kg−1 body weight day−1 (from lower to upper limits), and the potential risk for cancer using a formula devised by the Joint Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) was estimated at 0.00004–0.00005 person/year/100,000 persons, even though this was in the higher levels (95.0th percentile) of the consumer population. The results suggest that the current dietary intake of AFB1 in Japan has no appreciable effect on health.

Lindane residues in cultivated cucumber and in the most consumed fish in Caspian Sea (Iran)

In this study, the concentrations of lindane residues (organochlorine pesticides) were analyzed in samples of cultivated cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) and four species of most consumed fish (Sefid, Koli, Kilca and Kafal fish). Samples of cucumber were collected from five sites in Sari city (north, south, east, west and central areas) and samples of fish were caught using electric fishing from four major fishing centers (Chalous and Babolsar cities, Khazar Abad and Miankaleh regions) in Mazandaran province of Iran. Quantitative determination of the lindane content was performed by gas chromatography electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). The results showed that the concentration of lindane in cucumber samples and in the dorsal muscle of the selected fish were less than the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) recommended intake.

Survey of acrylamide levels in Chinese foods

A survey of levels of acrylamide (AA) in 349 food products obtained from the Chinese market was conducted. AA was determined by an liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method in four different matrices ranged from 0.8 to 10 µg kg−1 and from 4.0 to 25 µg kg−1, respectively. The results from this survey indicated that AA was present in all samples except drinking water and tea. AA contents in different samples varied greatly according to the raw materials and processing conditions. The highest level of AA was found in potato products, with an average level of 1467 µg kg−1. Preliminary estimates of AA exposure and risk assessment of AA from foods in the Chinese population were performed using a combination of data obtained in the present survey and 2002 dietary consumption survey carried out in 2002 for the Chinese population. The average dietary exposure of AA was estimated to be 0.38 µg kg−1 body weight day−1, which is relatively low compared with the result reported by the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). Furthermore, the margin of exposure for neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity of AA was calculated to be 1318, 5250, and 787, respectively.

Total dietary intake of mercury in the Canary Islands, Spain

Estimating the risk associated with dietary intake of heavy metals by consumers is a vital and integral part of regulatory processes. The assessment of exposure to mercury shown in this paper has been performed by means of a study on the whole diet. Total mercury (Hg) levels were determined by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in 420 samples of regularly consumed food and drink. The total Hg concentrations measured in the different groups of food ranged from non-detectable to 119 µg kg−1 w/w. The fish group had the highest concentrations of total Hg. All groups of food with regulated Hg content showed levels that were lower than the legally set values. The food consumption data used in the analysis were taken from the latest nutritional survey made in the Canary Islands, Spain. The estimated total Hg intake of local population (5.7 µg/person day−1) did not exceed the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) limit of 0.3 mg week−1 of total mercury (43 µg/person day−1) fixed by the Joint Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives. Fishery products contributed 96% of the total Hg intake. The mean Hg intake for each island in this archipelago, formed by seven, has also been calculated. Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and El Hierro are the islands with the highest level of Hg intake (7.0, 7,0 and 6.1 µg/person day−1, respectively). La Palma Island, due to its low fish consumption, had the lowest level of Hg intake (4.5 µg/person day−1), followed by La Gomera (5.4 µg/person day−1), Tenerife (5.5 µg/person day−1) and Gran Canaria (5.6 µg/person day−1). A comparison has been made of the results obtained in this study with those found for other national and international communities.

Notification (Reference C/NL/06/01) for the placing on the market of the genetically modified carnation Moonaqua 123.8.12 with a modified colour, for import of cut flowers for ornamental use, under Part C of Directive 2001/18/EC from Florigene ‐ Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms

Notification (Reference C/NL/06/01) for the placing on the market of the genetically modified carnation Moonaqua 123.8.12 with a modified colour, for import of cut flowers for ornamental use, under Part C of Directive 2001/18/EC from Florigene ‐ Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms

Comparison of conventional FASTA identity searches with the 80 amino acid sliding window FASTA search for the elucidation of potential identities to known allergens

Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) recommended that IgE cross-reactivity between a transgenic protein and allergen be considered when there is >or= 35% identity over a sliding "window" of 80 amino acids. Our objective was to evaluate the false positive and negative rates observed using the FAO/WHO versus conventional FASTA analyses. Data used as queries against allergen databases and analyzed to assess false positive rates included: 1,102 hypothetical corn ORFs; 907 randomly selected proteins; 89 randomly selected corn proteins; and 97 corn seed proteins. To evaluate false negative rates of both methods: Bet v 1a along with several crossreacting fruit/vegetable allergens and a bean alpha-amylase inhibitor were used as queries. Both methods were also evaluated for their ability to detect a putative nonallergenic test protein containing a sequence derived from Ara h 1. FASTA versions 3.3t0 and 3.4t25 were utilized. Data indicate a conventional FASTA analysis produced fewer false positives and equivalent false negative rates. Conventional FASTA versus sliding window derived E scores were generally more significant. Results suggest a conventional FASTA search provides more relevant identity to the query protein and better reflects the functional similarities between proteins. It is recommended that the conventional FASTA analysis be conducted to compare identities of proteins to allergens.

Cross‐reactivity of Anisakis simplex: possible role of Ani s 2 and Ani s 3

Anisakis simplex is a fish parasite that can cause allergy in humans. The multiple cross-reactivities of this nematode make diagnostic tests for allergy unreliable, because of frequent false-positive results. To date, only four allergens of A. simplex have been characterized, but their role in cross-reactivity is largely unknown. We performed an amino acid sequence homology analysis, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) criteria, to identify allergens likely to be cross-reactive with Ani s 2 (paramyosin) and Ani s 3 (tropomyosin) of A. simplex. Next, within segments shared by Ani s 2 or Ani s 3 and homologous proteins, we searched for the occurrence of binding motifs of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles (DRB1*1502, DQB1*0601, or DRB1*0404) known to be genetic risk factors for the development of allergy to A. simplex. We identified a number of proteins belonging to various organisms, which are significantly similar to (and therefore are likely to cross-react with) Ani s 2 and Ani s 3. The presence of binding motifs of HLA DRB1*0404 in Ani s 2, Ani s 3, and homolog proteins also supports our hypothesis. Our results provide a possible molecular explanation of some cross-reactivities reported for A. simplex, and suggest additional ones.

Intake of arsenic from water, food composites and excretion through urine, hair from a studied population in West Bengal, India

To evaluate the main intake source of arsenic by the villagers from arsenic-affected families in Jalangi and Domkol blocks in Mushidabad district, West Bengal—India, we determined the concentrations of arsenic in tubewell water and in food composites, mainly including vegetables and cereals collected from the surveyed families which were cultivated in that region. The daily dietary intakes of arsenic by the villagers were estimated and the excretions of arsenic through urine and hair were determined. The arsenic concentrations in hair and urine of the studied population living in mild (2.78 μg/L), moderate (30.7 μg/L) and high (118 μg/L) arsenic-affected families were 133, 1391 and 4713 μg/kg and 43.1, 244 and 336 μg/L, respectively. The linear regressions show good correlations between arsenic concentrations in water vs hair ( r 2 = 0.928, p < 0.001) and water vs urine ( r 2 = 0.464, p < 0.01). Approximately 29.4%, 58.1% and 62.1% of adult population from mild, moderate and high arsenic-affected families were suffering from arsenical skin manifestations. The mean arsenic concentrations of food composites (vegetables and cereals) in high arsenic-affected families are not significantly different from mild arsenic-affected families. The daily dietary intakes of arsenic from water and food composites of the studied population, living in high, moderate and mild arsenic-affected families were 568, 228 and 137 μg, respectively. The linear regressions show good correlations between arsenic concentrations in hair vs daily dietary intake ( r 2 = 0.452, p < 0.001) and urine vs daily dietary intake ( r 2 = 0.134, p < 0.001). The water for drinking contributed 6.07%, 26.7% and 58.1% of total arsenic in our study from mild, moderate and high arsenic-affected families. The result suggested that the contaminated water from high arsenic-affected families should be the main source for intake of arsenic. On contrary, the contribution of arsenic-contaminated food composites from mild and moderate arsenic-affected families might be the main source for intake of arsenic. The Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) values of arsenic in our study were 3.32, 5.75 and 12.9 μg/kg body weight/day from mild, moderate and high arsenic-affected families, respectively, which is higher than the recommended PTWI value of arsenic (2.1 μg/kg body weight/day).