Food Contamination Research Articles

Simultaneous Degradation of AFB1 and ZEN by CotA Laccase from Bacillus subtilis ZJ-2019-1 in the Mediator-Assisted or Immobilization System.

The global prevalence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and zearalenone (ZEN) contamination in food and feed poses a serious health risk to humans and animals. Recently, enzymatic detoxification has received increasing attention, yet most enzymes are limited to degrading only one type of mycotoxin, and free enzymes often exhibit reduced stability and activity, limiting their practicality in real-world applications. In this study, the laccase CotA gene from ZEN/AFB1-degrading Bacillus subtilis ZJ-2019-1 was cloned and successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21, achieving a protein yield of 7.0 mg/g. The recombinant CotA (rCotA) completely degraded AFB1 and ZEN, with optimal activity at 70 °C and pH 7.0. After rCotA treatment, neither AFB1 nor ZEN showed significantly cytotoxicity to mouse macrophage cell lines. Additionally, the AFB1/ZEN degradation efficiency of rCotA was significantly enhanced by five natural redox mediators: acetosyringone, syringaldehyde, vanillin, matrine, and sophoridin. Among them, the acetosyringone-rCotA was the most effective mediator system, which could completely degrade 10 μg of AFB1 and ZEN within 1 h. Furthermore, the chitosan-immobilized rCotA system exhibited higher degradation activity than free rCotA. The immobilized rCotA degraded 27.95% of ZEN and 41.37% of AFB1 in contaminated maize meal within 12 h, and it still maintained more than 40% activity after 12 reuse cycles. These results suggest that media-assisted or immobilized enzyme systems not only boost degradation efficiency but also demonstrate remarkable reusability, offering promising strategies to enhance the degradation efficiency of rCotA for mycotoxin detoxification.

Simultaneous and High-Throughput Analytical Strategy of 30 Fluorinated Emerging Pollutants Using UHPLC-MS/MS in the Shrimp Aquaculture System.

This study established novel and high-throughput strategies for the simultaneous analysis of 30 fluorinated emerging pollutants in different matrices from the shrimp aquaculture system in eastern China using UHPLC-MS/MS. The parameters of SPE for analysis of water samples and of QuEChERS methods for sediment and shrimp samples were optimized to allow the simultaneous detection and quantitation of 17 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and 13 fluoroquinolones (FQs). Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection of 30 pollutants for water, sediment, and shrimp samples were 0.01-0.30 ng/L, 0.01-0.22 μg/kg, and 0.01-0.23 μg/kg, respectively, while the limits of quantification were 0.04-1.00 ng/L, 0.03-0.73 μg/kg, and 0.03-0.76 μg/kg, with satisfactory recoveries and intra-day precision. The developed methods were successfully applied to the analysis of multiple samples collected from aquaculture ponds in eastern China. PFASs were detected in all samples with concentration ranges of 0.18-0.77 μg/L in water, 0.13-1.41 μg/kg (dry weight) in sediment, and 0.09-0.96 μg/kg (wet weight) in shrimp, respectively. Only two FQs, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin, were found in the sediment and shrimp. In general, this study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of fluorinated emerging contaminants, assisting in the monitoring and control of emerging contaminants in aquatic foods.

Analytical control of residues of the herbicide trifluralin in the assessment of the food safety

Introduction. Trifluralin is a systemic herbicide of the chemical class of dinitroaniline derivatives. During monitoring studies, trifluralin was detected in carrots produced in the Russian Federation. Since trifluralin-based pesticides are not approved for the use in the Russian Federation, residual amounts of the substance are not typical for this crop. To check the contamination of carrots with a pesticide not typical for this crop, confirmatory qualitative and quantitative studies were carried out. Purpose of the work. Increasing the efficiency of identification and reliability of quantitative results when monitoring food products for safety when performing confirmatory analytical studies using the example of determining trifluralin in carrots to assess the safety of food products intended for the consumer. Materials and methods. Gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was used to identify and quantify trifluralin. Samples were prepared for analysis using the QuEChERS method. Identification was carried out by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using two to four MRM transitions (m/z): 306,1→264,0; 264,0→206,0; 264,0→188,0; 264,0→160,1. Matrix-matched calibration was used for quantitation. Results. The effectiveness of screening studies when monitoring food products using the GC-MS/MS method can be significantly elevated by increasing the number of MRM transitions (at least 3), controlling the reference retention time of the substance, and maintaining the ratio of confirmatory ions. To obtain a reliable quantification of trifluralin content in carrots, the use of a matrix-matched calibration is recommended. Limitation. In the study, only carrots were considered as food products. Conclusion. Confirmation of test results is especially important when determining pesticide residues that are not normally found in a given matrix, or when it is suspected that the maximum permissible level may be exceeded. When conducting a screening study and detecting a food contaminant, contamination of the product can only be reported in advance. Next, a confirmatory analysis is required using a validated quantitative method, including an appropriate calibration procedure. In quantitative analysis, the presence of matrix sample components can cause problems due to sample suppression/enhancement phenomena. Matrix-aware calibration has been shown to be effective in compensating for matrix effects.

Characterisation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Special-Fed Veal Production Environments.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the leading public health threats globally. AMR genes can be transferred between bacteria through lateral gene transfer, and AMR organisms can spread through environments by contaminated water, agriculture and animals. Thus, widespread environmental dissemination of bacteria and lateral gene transfer facilitate AMR transmission pathways. Farm environments in dairy and calf production are known to harbour AMR bacteria that pose a risk for food contamination and to workers in direct or indirect contact with animals. Escherichia coli is present in farm environments and is known to participate in lateral gene transfer, providing a good marker of resistance genes in each environment. In this study, E. coli from nine cohorts of calves was isolated at different time points from nine barns, nine trailers and one slaughterhouse environment in a single special-fed veal calf production facility. The antimicrobial susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials, classified as highly or critically important by the World Health Organization, was characterised for E. coli isolates using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. The highest proportion of isolates showing multidrug resistance was present in barn environments (51.7%), where calves were housed from their arrival at < 2 weeks of age until they were transported to slaughter. Additionally, 15 E. coli isolates were resistant to 11 of the 15 antimicrobials tested. Trailer and slaughterhouse environments had greater prevalence of resistance after accommodating calves, including resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. These data highlight the importance of calf environments in the dissemination of resistant bacteria and gives insight into where interventions could be most effective in combatting antimicrobial-resistant bacteria that could infect humans and livestock.

Engineered nanomaterials reduce metal(loid) accumulation and enhance staple food production for sustainable agriculture.

Metal(loid) contaminants in food pose a global health concern. This study offers a global analysis of the impact of nanomaterials (NMs) on crop responses to metal(loid) stresses. Our findings reveal that NMs have a positive effect on the biomass production of staple crops (22.8%), while showing inhibitory effects on metal(loid) accumulation in plants (-38.3%) and oxidative damage (-21.6%) under metal(loid) stress conditions. These effects are influenced by various factors such as NM dose, exposure duration, size and composition. Here we introduce a method using interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy values by integrating the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution and entropy weights to compare the effectiveness of different NM application patterns. These results offer practical insights for the application of NMs in similar multi-criteria decision-making scenarios, contributing to sustainable agriculture and global food safety.

Application Evaluation and Performance-Directed Improvement of the Native and Engineered Biosensors.

Transcription factor (TF)-based biosensors (TFBs) have received considerable attention in various fields due to their capability of converting biosignals, such as molecule concentrations, into analyzable signals, thereby bypassing the dependence on time-consuming and laborious detection techniques. Natural TFs are evolutionarily optimized to maintain microbial survival and metabolic balance rather than for laboratory scenarios. As a result, native TFBs often exhibit poor performance, such as low specificity, narrow dynamic range, and limited sensitivity, hindering their application in laboratory and industrial settings. This work analyzes four types of regulatory mechanisms underlying TFBs and outlines strategies for constructing efficient sensing systems. Recent advances in TFBs across various usage scenarios are reviewed with a particular focus on the challenges of commercialization. The systematic improvement of TFB performance by modifying the constituent elements is thoroughly discussed. Additionally, we propose future directions of TFBs for developing rapid-responsive biosensors and addressing the challenge of application isolation. Furthermore, we look to the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and various models for programming TFB genetic circuits. This review sheds light on technical suggestions and fundamental instructions for constructing and engineering TFBs to promote their broader applications in Industry 4.0, including smart biomanufacturing, environmental and food contaminants detection, and medical science.

Self-Assembly-Activated Engineered Magnetic Biohybrids Loaded with Phosphotriesterase for Sustainable Decontamination and Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides.

Phosphotriesterase (PTE) biodegradation of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) is an efficient and environmentally friendly method. However, the instability and nonreusability of free PTE become the key factors restricting its practical application. In this study, a novel cross-linked magnetic hybrid nanoflower (CLMNF) was prepared. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to further investigate the enhanced catalytic efficiency of the enzymes. The recovery rate of enzyme activity was 298% due to the large specific surface area and metal ion activation effect. More importantly, the immobilization scheme greatly improved the stability and reuse performance of the catalyst and simplified the recovery operation. CLMNFs retained 90.32% relative activity after 5 consecutive cycles and maintained 84.8% relative activity after 30 days at 25 °C. It has a good practical application prospect in the degradation and detection of OPs. Consequently, the immobilized enzyme as a biocatalyst has the characteristics of high efficiency, stability, safety, and easy separation, establishing the key step in a biodetoxification system to control organophosphorus contamination in food and the environment.

Enhancing refrigerated chicken breasts preservation: Novel composite hydrogels incorporated with antimicrobial peptides, bacterial cellulose, and polyvinyl alcohol

Microbial contamination annually leads to substantial food resource loss. Effective food packaging can mitigate food contamination and waste, yet conventional materials such as plastics often lack bacteriostatic activity. This study aimed to synthesise FengycinA-M3@bacterial cellulose@polyvinyl alcohol composite hydrogels via dual cross-linking with hydrogen and borate bonding, with the goal of enhancing antibacterial properties and prolonging the preservation period of refrigerated chicken breast. The composite hydrogel was subjected to comprehensive characterisation for structural, mechanical, water absorption, slow peptide release, antimicrobial capacity, biocompatibility, and chicken breast freshness preservation. The results showed that the composite hydrogel had a porous network structure and excellent gel elasticity and biocompatibility. It was effective in inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and prolonged the storage time of frozen chicken breast for up to 12 days. These findings emphasise the potential of hydrogel food packaging to prolong storage periods and its suitability for food industry applications due to ease of manufacture.

FengycinA-M3 Inhibits Listeria monocytogenes by Binding to Penicillin-Binding Protein 2B Targets to Disrupt Cell Structure.

The contamination of food with Listeria monocytogenes threatens food safety and human health, and developing a novel, green, and safe antimicrobial substance will offer a new food preservation strategy. FengycinA-M3 is a novel lipid peptide with low cytotoxicity and resistance and has effective antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 µg/mL. Further combined transcriptomics and proteomics analysis yielded 20 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The MICs of the combined use of FengycinA-M3 and Cefalexin on L. monocytogenes were further determined as FengycinA-M3 (2 µg/mL) and Cefalexin (8 µg/mL) using the checkerboard method. In addition, FengycinA-M3 was found to play a role in delaying pork deterioration. This study explored the inhibitory effect of FengycinA-M3 on L. monocytogenes and its mechanism of action. FengycinA-M3 interacted with penicillin-binding protein 2B on the cell membrane of L. monocytogenes, destroying the permeability of the membrane, causing cell membrane rupture, thereby inhibiting the growth of L. monocytogenes. Overall, FengycinA-M3 is a promising candidate for preventing the emergence and spread of L. monocytogenes with potential applications in food processing.

Antifungal activity of poly(lactic acid) nanofibers containing the essential oil from Corymbia citriodora Hook or the monoterpenes β-citronellol and citronellal against mycotoxigenic fungi.

Food contamination by mycotoxigenic fungi is one of the principal factors that cause food loss and economic losses in the food industry. The objective of this work was to incorporate the essential oil from Corymbia citriodora Hook and its constituents citronellal and β-citronellol into poly(lactic acid) nanofibers; to characterize the nanofibers by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); to evaluate the antifungal activity by the fumigation method; to evaluate the antimycotoxigenic activity against Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus westerdijkiae, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus; and to evaluate the morphology of these microorganisms. All the nanofibers had a regular, smooth and continuous morphology. FTIR analyses confirmed that the active ingredients were incorporated into the polymer matrix. All samples exhibited antifungal and ochratoxigenic inhibitory activities of up to 100% and 99%, respectively, with the best results observed for (PLA + 30 wt% β-citronellol) nanofibers and (PLA + 30 wt% citronellal) nanofibers. However, 100% inhibition of the production of aflatoxin B1 and B2 was not observed. The images obtained by SEM indicated that the nanofibers caused damage to the hyphae, caused a decrease in the production of spores, and caused deformation, rupture and non-formation of the conid head, might be an alternative for the control of mycotoxigenic fungi.

Screening for contamination with genetically modified organisms in food, feed and their additives obtained in retail and online shops in Latvia

The aim of the study was to screen for contamination of food and feed products with genetically modified organisms (GMO) in several sample groups obtained from retail and online shops. The total number of samples was 171, including 67 of food, 26 feed, 27 additive, and 51 samples of dried pollen for human consumption. Detection and quantification of GMO in food and feed was performed according to the approved quantitative real-time PCR methods. Fermentation product samples were analyzed using screening for antimicrobial resistance genes, 16S RNA and ITS1 sequencing, isolation of bacterial cultures and whole genome sequencing. In total, GMO contamination was found in 12 samples (in 10.45% of food and in 19.23% of feed samples). A lower proportion of GMO containing samples were from the European Union (10.26 %) vs. samples from outside (17.02%), but none with ingredients of both origins. Non-compliant were three food and five feed samples. Of the 27 samples of food and feed additives and food supplements, 10 samples were possibly non-compliant, as they contained live bacteria with antimicrobial resistance genes, and seven of them contained possibly recombinant DNA. The study indicates presence of GMO contamination that emphasizes the need for further monitoring.

Ultra-sensitive zinc cobaltate assembled on N-rich carbon nitride electrochemical sensor for the detection of paraquat in food samples

BackgroundParaquat (PQ) from agricultural waste cause contamination in water bodies, groundwater, soil, and foods has received increasing attention regarding health safety. On-site-based detection is much needed along with rapid results, selectivity and sensitivity, which can be achieved through an electrochemical-based sensor. MethodsThis work provides, an electrochemical sensor based on zinc cobaltite (ZnCo2O4) nanostructure strongly attracted through electrostatic interaction with the carbon nitride (C3N5; CN) nanosheets modified on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the determination of paraquat (PQ). The strong immobilization of ZnCo2O4 over CN2 on GCE synergistically shows excellent sensing of PQ due to high interfacial charge transfer effect. Significant findingsIn addition, the electrochemical studies were performed using CV and DPV analysis which exhibits a good limit of detection (7.6 nM) and sensitivity (0.201 µA cm-2) towards PQ detection. Furthermore, the modified electrode was applied practically in real food samples for PQ detection with excellent recoveries.

Preliminary risk assessment of exposure to 3-monochloropropanediol and glycidyl fatty acid esters from infant formula and baby food products on the Saudi market

3-Monochloropropanediol fatty acid esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE) are well-identified processing-induced chemical toxicants detected in infant formula and baby foods worldwide. We analysed the levels of 3-MCPDE and GE in infant formula and baby food products available in Saudi Arabia, followed by a dietary risk assessment for exposure to these contaminants in infants and young children from birth to 3 years. Eighty-five commercial infant formulas (n = 35) and baby foods (n = 50) available for consumption by infants and babies purchased from the Saudi market during 2022 were analysed for these contaminants using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. 3-MCPDE and GE were detected in 100 and 80% of the samples, with a mean concentration of 57 µg/kg (range: 2–285 µg/kg) and 30 µg/kg (range: not detected–217 µg/kg), respectively. The highest concentration was found in milk-based formula for infants 0–6 months (285 µg/kg) and the lowest was found in fruit purees (2 µg/kg). Preliminary exposure and risk assessment showed increased exposure to 3-MCPDE for infants exclusively fed infant formula with exposure declining with age due to the introduction of solid foods. GE exposure levels reached 0.8 µg/kg body weight per day, which declined over time with margin of exposure values below 25,000. These results indicate that the levels of 3-MCPDE and GE in infant formula may pose potential risks to infants exclusively fed formula; therefore, adopting EU regulations should reduce the presence of these processing contaminants in essential infant foods.

The applicability of the SERS technique in food contamination testing – The detailed spectroscopic, chemometric, genetic, and comparative analysis of food-borne Cronobacter spp. strains

Microorganisms assigned as Cronobacter are Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, bacteria widely distributed in nature, home environments, and hospitals. They can also be detected in foods, milk powder, and powdered infant formula (PIF). Additionally, as an opportunistic pathogen, Cronobacter may cause serious infections, sometimes leading to the death of neonates and infants. Thus, it is essential to test food products for the presence of Cronobacter spp. The currently used standard described in ISO 22964:2017 is a laborious method that could be easily replaced by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).Here, we demonstrate that SERS allows the identification of food-borne bacteria belonging to Cronobacter spp. based on their SERS spectra. For this purpose, twenty-six Cronobacter strains from different food samples were analyzed. Additionally, it was shown that it is possible to differentiate them from other closely related pathogens such as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, Escherichia coli, or Enterobacter spp. The SERS results were supported by principal component analysis (PCA), as well as and sequencing of 16S rRNA, rpoB and fusA genes. Last but not least, it was demonstrated that the cells of Cronobacter sakazakii may be easily separated from PIF using an appropriate filter, microfluidic chip, and dielectrophoresis (DEP) technique.

Microplastics interactions and transformations during in vitro digestion with milk

Despite increasing awareness of microplastic contamination in food, the specific interactions and transformations of microplastics during digestion remain poorly understood. The study investigates the behavior of microplastics during in vitro digestion processes and their interaction with components of milk. The in vitro digestion studies are conducted to study the changes in microplastics in simulated digestive fluids, with and without milk. The study revealed that microplastics undergo significant changes in size, surface morphology, and chemical properties when subjected to digestion with and without milk. Notably, microplastics digested with milk exhibited a 15–25 % increase in aggregation due to protein corona formation, enhancing their potential for interactions within biological systems. FTIR analysis revealed the formation of OH and CO groups in digested microplastics, indicating hydrolysis and structural changes. The stronger peaks in the 1630–1650 cm−1 range suggest significant adsorption of milk proteins, highlighting the complex interactions during digestion. Additionally, the chemicals and additives leached from microplastics into digesta raising the concerns about their potential health effects. The study emphasizes the necessity for additional research and regulatory measures to address the risks associated with microplastic contamination in food.

Integrating AI in Food Contaminant Analysis: Enhancing Quality and Environmental Protection

This paper marks a groundbreaking step toward ensuring food safety by applying artificial intelligence (AI) in the detection of food contaminants. It argues that AI offers a significant advantage over traditional methods, addressing both food safety and environmental risk issues. We aim to make rapid, precise online analysis of chemical contaminants a reality. While traditional methods work well, they struggle with the demands for simplicity, large datasets, and speed. In contrast, AI excels with its data manipulation and predictive analytics. This paper explores AI's applications and future perspectives in detecting, quantifying, and reducing food contaminants, showcasing examples like machine learning, neural networks, and data mining techniques for identifying pests, heavy metals, and mycotoxins. Additionally, AI-driven sensor technologies and spectroscopic methods are discussed for improving detection accuracy. AI's real-time detection capabilities can help prevent health crises and economic loss, while its predictive power supports sustainable agriculture by reducing the use of harmful chemicals.

Quantification of the thermal history of insects in foods using real-time PCR-based DNA fragmentation analysis

A major challenge faced by the food industry is the contamination of food by insects. Once an insect is found in a food product, it is important to determine how it entered the food. Given that the thermal history of insects provides a clue to unraveling this mystery, in this study, we have developed a novel real-time PCR-based DNA fragmentation analysis method to quantify the thermal history of insects found in foods.We selected two species of cockroaches (Periplaneta fuliginosa and Blattela germanica) as investigative targets because cockroach contamination often causes significant economic losses in the food industry. A set of real-time PCRs was designed for each species to amplify the species-specific regions of 18S ribosomal DNA at approximate 100 and 300 bp. The degree of DNA fragmentation was evaluated using the differences between the amplification curves for the 100- and 300-bp sequences. We observed that the degree of DNA fragmentation was quantifiable when the insect was heated to >100 °C. Therefore, we determined whether cockroaches contaminate retort foods during the manufacturing or household consumption stages. This novel analytical method is expected to improve food safety and product reliability by identifying the cause of insect contamination.

Roles of cytochromes P450 and ribosome inhibition in the interaction between two preoccupying mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1 and deoxynivalenol

Mycotoxins are a threat to human and animal health. Climate change increases their occurrence and our dietary exposure. Although humans and animals are concomitantly exposed to several mycotoxins, their combined effects are poorly characterised. This study investigated the interaction between aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), the most potent natural carcinogen, and deoxynivalenol (DON), which is among the most prevalent mycotoxins. AFB1 is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma through its bioactivation by cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes; while DON induces ribotoxic stress leading to an alteration of intestinal, immune and hepatic functions. Analysis of DNA damage biomarkers γ-H2AX and 53BP1 revealed that DON reduces the genotoxicity of AFB1. This effect was mimicked with cycloheximide, another ribosome inhibitor; moreover DOM-1, a DON-derivative lacking ribosome inhibition, did not affect DNA damage. Exposure to DON, alone or in combination with AFB1, decreased the protein levels and/or activities of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Altogether, these results revealed an original interaction between DON and AFB1, DON inhibiting the genotoxicity of AFB1. The underlying mechanism involves ribosome inhibition by DON and the subsequent impairment of CYP450s, responsible for the bioactivation of AFB1. This work highlights the importance of studying mycotoxins not only individually but also in mixture and of considering food contaminants as part of the exposome.

Climate change influence on the trends of BFRs in the environment and food.

Climate change poses new challenges for environmental protection and food safety. With reported consequences including warmer temperatures, melting of Alpine glaciers, higher sea levels, droughts, extreme rainfall events and increased surface UV radiation, concerns about the impact on food contaminants have been raised. While the effects of climate change on POPs were initially expected to have the biggest impact in the arctic region, given the intensity, frequency and spread of extreme weather events, global influence on environmental pollution and food safety is currently anticipated. Warmer temperatures are expected to enhance the volatilization of POPs and influence their partitioning between soil, sediment, water and atmosphere, enhancing their mobility and their potential for long-range atmospheric transport. Floods and strong winds can cause dilution but also spread of pollutants to wider areas. Limited data are available for the impact of climate change on BFRs levels, trends and toxicity. BFRs are widely used to protect people from fire hazards. Numerous BFR containing products are disposed in landfills where climate change could possibly induce increased leaching and resulting impacts on the food chain. Heat and UV exposure can lead to degradation of novel polymeric BFRs with adverse environmental effects. Long-term monitoring data are needed for feed, food and environmental compartments in order to evaluate climate change influence, which will also enable the development of prediction models specific for legacy and novel BFRs, for various climate change scenarios. Furthermore, there is a need to promote further discussion in the scientific community for the design of risk management and remediation activities for contaminated areas, in response to potential future conditions as the climate continues to change.

Toxic Metals and Metalloids in Food: Current Status, Health Risks, and Mitigation Strategies.

Exposure to toxic metals/metalloids, such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), through food consumption is a global public health concern. This review examines the contamination status of these metals/metalloids in food, assesses dietary intake across different populations, and proposes strategies to reduce metal/metalloid exposures throughout the food chain. For the general population, dietary intake of metals/metalloids is generally lower than health-based guidance values. However, for vulnerable populations, such as infants, children, and pregnant women, their dietary intake levels are close to or even higher than the guidance values. Among different food categories, seafood shows higher total As, but largely present as organic species. Rice accumulates higher As concentration than other cereals, with inorganic As (iAs) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) being the main As species. Methylated thioarsenate species, such as dimethylmonothioarsenate, have also been detected in rice. The distribution of iAs and DMA in rice shows geographical variation. Additionally, seafood and cocoa products generally contain more Cd than other food, but seafood consumption does not significantly increase in adverse health effects due to its high zinc and iron content. Compared to As and Cd, Pb concentrations in food are generally lower. To minimize the health risks of metal/metalloid exposure, several strategies are proposed. Food contamination with toxic metals/metalloids poses significant concerns for human health, particularly for vulnerable populations. This review provides scientific evidence and suggestions for policy makers to reduce human exposure of metals/metalloids via dietary intake.