Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee On Food Additives Research Articles

Novel Application for Activated Carbon Pharmaceutical Formulation as an Efficient Adsorbent of Iron (III) from Contaminated Canned Food

Additional medical indication has been realized for the active carbon commercialized in pharmaceutical stores for the first time. In this study, the active carbon was used to remove iron (III) from real canned food samples contaminated with iron by an adsorption process, in a new approach. Different parameters affecting the adsorption behavior of active carbon towards iron (III) have been optimized. Under the optimized conditions, namely, pH 4, 5 h contact time, 40 ppm iron initial concentration, and 2 g carbon, the study was applied to some of the real canned food samples. Black olive and green bean canned food samples containing relatively high iron levels of 698.0 and 1168 mg kg-1, respectively, have been selected for this study due to their levels which were above the maximum permitted levels 48 mg kg-1 according to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). These samples were digested and treated, and their iron concentration was determined using ICP-AES under the specified optimum conditions. The removal percentage of the real samples was ~91%. In a novel approach, this study simulates the adsorption behavior of active carbon towards iron (III) in the human stomach when canned food with relatively high iron levels has been digested, since the pH value of the human stomach (~3) comes in good agreement with the adsorption optimized pH range (2-4). Moreover, the overall tolerability and safety of active carbon are worldwide known and traditionally documented. These application studies realize the applicability of utilizing active carbon commercially available in pharmaceutical stores to eliminate the toxicity of canned food contaminated by high levels of the investigated elements.

Risk Profiling of Methylmercury in the Consumption of Dried Tamban (Sardinella lemuru) by the Filipino Consuming Population

Methylmercury (MeHg) is one of the most toxic forms of mercury (Hg) produced via methylation of its inorganic form from natural and anthropogenic sources. Fish that feed on phytoplankton, such as sardines, serve as the entry points of MeHg in the aquatic food web. Dietary exposure (DE) to MeHg leads to varying health risks such as ataxia, neurodevelopmental delays, and blindness in newborns and infants. The study aimed to develop a risk profile on the potential risk associated with the consumption of Philippine dried tamban (Sardinella lemuru) through 1) conceptualization of the risk profile, 2) review of related literature, 3) formulation of assumptions (i.e. identification of variabilities and establishment of uncertainties or data gaps), 4) exposure pathway assessment, and 5) risk characterization. The risk of MeHg was estimated using the total mercury (THg) concentrations in dried tamban samples collected from the major fishing grounds of sardines in the Philippines, consumption data of the adult Filipino consuming population, and the assumed average body weights of Asian adults. The estimated DEs ranged from 0.000043–0.008724 μg/kg bw (bodyweight)/wk, which is equivalent to about 0.003–0.545% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 1.6 μg/kg bw for MeHg established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) in 2007. Our findings imply that dried tamban does not pose a major health risk to the adult Filipino consuming population. However, it is also essential to note that aside from dried tamban, there are other potential sources of MeHg in the diet such as other fish and seafood.

Formation of acrylamide in microwave‐roasted sorghum and associated dietary risk

AbstractThe effect of microwave roasting parameters (300, 450 and 600 W; 5, 10 and 15 min) on acrylamide content in sorghum grain was determined using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)‐photo diode array (PDA) detector coupled with C‐18 column. Samples roasted at 300 and 450 W did not possess acrylamide, whereas 600 W (15 min) favoured formation of 2740.19 µg/kg of acrylamide, levels far exceeding the defined European Union (EU) limits. The chronic daily intake (CDI) for acrylamide through consumption of such grain flour was 3.25–9.5‐fold higher to Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) defined high exposure limits. The margin of exposure (MOE) values ranged from 4.3 to 12.76 and from 11.07 to 32.27 for neoplastic and neurological effects, respectively, demonstrating high exposure and serious health concerns associated with dietary intake of this toxicant. This study assesses the risk for the Indian population and highlights the importance of optimising process parameters for food product to minimise such exposure risks.

Risk Assessment of Contaminants in Sewage Sludge Applied on Norwegian Soils

Risk Assessment of Contaminants in Sewage Sludge Applied on Norwegian Soils

Exposure Assessment of methyl mercury from consumption of fish and seafood in Peninsular Malaysia

The concentration of meHg in freshwater fish and seafood was investigated, as well as the consumption patterns of fish and seafood by different demographic groups (age, ethnicity, gender). A potential alarm for human health hazards was also assessed, and the results were compared to the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs) and the hazard quotient parameter (HQ). The results showed that meHg levels of 67 species ranged from 0.013 to 0.252 mg/kg of wet weight (WW) with significant differences between different fish and seafood groups (χ2KW = 49.09; p < 0.001). Median concentrations of meHg in fish and seafood groups in descending orders are as follows: demersal fish (0.1006 mg/kg WW) > pelagic fish (0.0686 mg/kg WW) > freshwater fish 0.045 mg/kg WW) > cephalopods (0.0405 mg/kg WW) crustaceans (0.0356 mg/kg WW). The results revealed that older population (> 40 years old) consumed significantly (p = 0.000) more fish compared to younger generations and the elderly consumed the highest amounts of fish (104.0 ± 113.0 g/day). The adolescents (10–17 years old) consumed more than double of amount for both cephalopod and crustacean compared to the older populations (p < 0.05). Malay ethnic (96.1 ± 99.6 g/day) consumed significantly (p = 0.000) higher amounts of fish and seafood compared to other ethnicities, similar to male subjects (95.2 ± 102 g/day; p = 0.026) when compared to the female (86 ± 96.3 g/day). The estimated weekly intake (EWI) values showed results below 1.6 µg/kg BW/week, the tolerable levels recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) for all different demographic factors except for higher consumers at 75th percentile and above. Consumption of marine fish contributed to a higher value of PTWI to all different demographic groups (the estimated weekly intake (EWI) range: 0.2988–0.6893 µg/kg BW/week) but for the adolescents, where from the consumption of crustaceans (0.3488 µg/kg BW/week or 21.8% of PTWI) and cephalopods (0.504 µg/kg BW/week or 31.5% of PTWI). The results from this study also revealed the HQ value for overall consumption of fish and seafood by the adolescents and elderly exceeded one. This was contributed from the consumption of demersal fish and cephalopods, thus indicating the nonacceptable level of noncarcinogenic adverse health effects.

Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Dietary Exposure to Deoxynivalenol in Wheat-Based Products Based Different Wheat-Producing Area for the Inhabitants in Shanghai, China.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the major mycotoxins that contaminate cereals. In this study, we determined the DON level in wheat-based products from Chinese five main production areas collected in Shanghai and calculated the daily intake of DON for inhabitants using the point evaluation and the probabilistic evaluation based on Monte Carlo simulation. The results showed the positive rates of DON in the products were higher than 80.0%, with the concentrations ranging from 41.8 to 1110 µg/kg. The estimated mean daily intakes of DON for 7- to 10-year-old children and adults groups were below 1 µg/kg bw/day, the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), suggesting no health risks for the consumers. However, the 99th percentiles of dietary DON exposures for children and adults exceeded the PMTDI, indicating adverse health effects might occur if the two groups intake highly contaminated wheat-based products. The potential health risks for the two groups exposed to DON in the wheat-based products from the Middle and Lower Yangtze Valley (MLYV) were higher than those from the other areas in China.

Risk Profiling of 3-MCPD (3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol) in Soy Sauce to the Adult Filipino Consuming Population

Soy sauce is one of the commonly consumed food items in the Philippines because of its vast applications as a regular sauce and a condiment in various food dishes. One method used to produce soy sauce is chemical hydrolysis that involves acid hydrolysis of vegetable protein under high temperatures, which may generate a chemical by-product called 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD). Exposure to 3-MCPD may potentially cause adverse health effects to humans such as kidney, liver, and reproductive organ failure, as well as infertility and carcinogenicity. Thus, this study aimed to establish a profile on the potential risk associated with the consumption of soy sauce with 3-MCPD in the Philippines. This study included risk profile conceptualization, literature review, and identification of uncertainties and variabilities to formulate assumptions, which were then used in the dietary exposure (DE) assessment and estimation of risk of the adult Filipino consuming population to 3-MCPD in soy sauce. Analysis showed that the soy sauce samples (n = 19) collected from identified supermarkets and wet markets in the Philippines contained 3-MCPD levels below the maximum level (ML) of 0.4 mg/kg set by the 2019 edition of the Codex General Standards for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed. With these generated data on the hazard levels, the high consumer (97.5th) percentile soy sauce consumption data from the Philippine Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), and the assumed body weight of an adult Asian, the DE of the adult Filipino consuming population to 3-MCPD in soy sauce was estimated to be 0.0327–0.1636 µg/kg body weight (bw)/d, which was lower than 4 µg/kg bw – the latest provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) in 2016. Based on these findings, the consumption of soy sauce showed no appreciable risk to the health of the Filipino consuming population.

Metal Contamination in Macrobrachium rosenbergii from Sarawak River, Malaysia and its Health Risk to Human

An assessment of heavy metal concentration in wild-captured Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant freshwater prawns) from their natural habitat is important since it is susceptible to environmental pollution due to the rapid development and human activities along the Sarawak River. This study aimed to estimate the heavy metal contamination in muscles, exoskeletons and gills of the M. rosenbergii and to estimate the health risk assessment to human consumption. The concentration of heavy metals was analyzed by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the flow injection mercury system. The metal concentrations in prawns were detected in the following order: Hg < Cd < Co < Cu < Zn; in all body parts (P < 0.05), where a high concentration of metals was recorded in gills due to its function as the excretion site of contaminants from the body. A positive correlation of Co, Cu, and Zn in muscles and gills was observed with the increasing size of prawns. The human health risk assessment indicated a less potential adverse health effect of prawns for consumption from Sarawak River (hazard index values < 1). All samples contained metals below the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) permissible limit for human consumption (Cd < 2 mg/kg; Cu < 30 mg/kg; Zn < 150 mg/kg; Hg < 1 mg/kg). Therefore, M. rosenbergii from the Sarawak River were not contaminated enough to prevail high risk on human health, but regular monitoring is suggested for seasonal variability of heavy metals in M. rosenbergii for safeguarding human health.

Determination of ochratoxin a in coffee by ELISA method and its relationship with the physical, physicochemical and microbiological properties

BACKGROUND: Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world; however, it may contain toxic compounds such as ochratoxin A (OTA). OBJECTIVES: Determine the OTA’s presence in different types of coffee, intended for beverage preparation and marketed in Colombia through the application of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and analyze its relationship with the physical, physicochemical and microbiological properties. METHODS: 8 samples of coffee commercialized in the Colombian market were selected, in which the OTA content was determined by applying the ELISA method. Likewise, a microbiological analysis was performed, and physicochemical properties were determined, such as moisture content, aw, percentage total dissolved solids (%TDS), and extraction yield (%EY). Physical properties such as free-flow densities, compacted bulk densities (CBD), porosity, average particle size (ASP), and color. The data were treated with multivariate analysis using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) to quantitatively investigate the relationships between the coffee samples concerning their physical, physicochemical properties, and OTA content. LSD test was applied with a significance level of 95 % and Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: All the samples had OTA content, but only 2 exceeded the limits allowed by the regulations, with a maximum value of 15.449 µg/Kg, which represents 31.449 % of the tolerable daily intake according to the parameters defined by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). According to the PCA and CA, the samples were grouped harmonically according to the type of coffee associated with its commercial presentation and industrial process, OTA content, and ASP. OTA content was significantly and positively correlated (p &lt; 0.05) with %EY, %TDS, ASP, porosity, CBD, and moisture. CONCLUSIONS: The coffees marketed in Colombia showed a variable range of OTA, where soluble coffees had higher OTA contents than roasted coffees, and 25 % of the coffees analyzed do not meet the levels defined by Colombian regulations. The OTA content in coffee is related to properties that define the ability to extract solutes from coffee.

Assessing the risk of coal-burning arsenic-induced liver damage: a population-based study on hair arsenic and cumulative arsenic.

Exposure to arsenic-contaminated air and food caused by the burning of coal in unventilated indoor stoves is a major environmental public health concern in Guizhou Province, China. The liver is one of the main target organs for coal-fired arsenic exposure; however, there is little information about the risk assessment between cumulative arsenic exposure and the prevalence of liver damage. This study first evaluated the chronic daily intake (CDI) for two exposure pathways (inhalation and ingestion) and five environmental media (i.e., indoor and outdoor air, drinking water, rice, corn, and chili peppers) in 1998, 2006, 2014, and 2017. Then, the dose-effect and dose-response relationship between hair arsenic (HA) and cumulative arsenic (CA) levels and liver damage was analyzed. The results clearly show that the CDI in 1998 was 34.9 μg·kg-1·d-1, 22.9 μg·kg-1·d-1 in 2006, 11.7 μg·kg-1·d-1 in 2014, and 6.7 μg·kg-1·d-1 in 2017 in the arsenic exposure area. All of these values were higher than the daily baseline level of 3.0 μg·kg-1·d-1 as recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), and the increased HA and CA can increase the risk of coal-fired arsenic-induced liver damage. In addition, we analyzed the possible maximum acceptable CA exposure level for coal-fired arsenic-induced liver damage using the Bayesian benchmark dose. The recommended maximum acceptable CA exposure level for liver damage caused by coal-burning arsenic is 7120 mg. This study provides scientific insight into understanding the dose-response relationship of liver damage caused by coal-burning arsenic exposure and the monitoring and prevention of arsenic poisoning.

Derivation of Biomonitoring Equivalents for aluminium for the interpretation of population-level biomonitoring data

Aluminium is widely used in many consumer products, however the primary source of aluminium exposure to the Canadian general population is through food. Aluminium can cause neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity at elevated exposure levels. Health-based exposure guidance values have been established for oral exposure to aluminium, including a Minimal Risk Level (MRL) by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a Provincial Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and a Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Aluminium concentration in blood and urine can be used as a tool for exposure characterization in a population. A pharmacokinetic (PK) model was developed based on human dosing data to derive blood Biomonitoring Equivalents (BEs), whereas a mass balance approach was used to derive urine BEs for the above guidance values. The BEs for blood for daily intake consistent with the MRL, PTWI and TWI were 18, 16 and 8 μg/L, respectively. BEs for urine for the same guidance values were 137, 123 and 57 μg/L, respectively. The derived BEs may be useful in interpreting population-level biomonitoring data in a health risk context and thereby screening and prioritizing substances for human health risk assessment and risk management.

Prehrambeni aditivi - analiza rizika i regulativa

Food additive is any substance not normally consumed as a food, the intentional addition of which to food for a technological purpose results in it or its by-products becoming a component of such foods. The use of each new additive is preceded by a risk analysis consisting of three interrelated components: risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. At the international level in the Codex Alimentarius system, risk assessment is performed by the Joint (FAO/WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and risk management by Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) that, based on the results of the risk assessment, prepares international standards and recommendations that Member States incorporate into national regulations. At the level of the European Union (EU), risk assessment is performed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as a basis for risk management by the European Commission (EC) that prepares food additive legislation, and member states authorities responsible for official control of additives on the market. Risk communication takes place between all stakeholders including academia, food producers and consumers. The regulation on additives in the Republic of Serbia is fully harmonized with the EU legislation in this area.

Heavy Metal (Pb, Hg) Contained in Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus Linnaeus, 1758) in Cengkok Coastal Waters, Banten Bay, Indonesia

Increasing number of industries and settlements in Banten Bay were subsequently followed by an increase in the amount of waste, whether in the form of solid, liquid or gas that can pollute the environment. One of the toxic pollutants is heavy metal.The entry mechanism of the heavy metal Mercury (Hg) and Lead (Pb) in body of the crab (Portunus pelagicus), namely through the process of digestion food. This study was conducted for 6 months, from March to August 2019, and aimed to analyze the heavy metal content levels (Pb and Hg) and the safe consumption level of the blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) in the waters. The heavy metal concentration in the meat was measured through the AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer) AA 7000 series Shimadzu. The analysis showed that the Pb and Hg contained in the blue swimming crab were still under the quality standards. Also, the bio-concentration factors of the blue swimming crab were low (&lt;100). Water quality data observed as temperature, salinity, TSS, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and transparency stayed in the range of tolerable limits for the survival of marine organisms. Maximum weekly intake calculation refers to the tolerable limits issued by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The JECFA recommends calculating the PTWI of each heavy metal if it accumulates in the human body for methyl mercury 1.6 μg.kg bw.week-1 and for lead not exceed 25 μg.kg bw.week-1. The safety consumption level of blue swimming crab from Cengkok Coastal water was 2.3 kg of meat.week-1 (for adults) and 0.6 kg of meat.week-1 (for children).

Lead and cadmium in infant milk and cereal based formulae marketed in Nigeria: a probabilistic non-carcinogenic human health risk assessment

There has been concern on the likelihood of contamination of infant formulae and consequent health risk in children. This study has assessed and compared the lead and cadmium levels in infant formulae commonly consumed in Nigeria with international regulatory limits. It has also compared the estimated daily intake with Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and Proposition 65 Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake. Lead and cadmium levels in 26 different brands of infant formulae purchased from stores in Port-Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria in January 2018 were assayed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The lead and cadmium levels in milk based infant formulae ranged from 0.61-3.50 mg/kg and 0.01-0.55 mg/kg respectively whereas the range of the lead and cadmium levels in the cereal and cereal mix based were 0.29-1.95 mg/kg and 0.02-0.37 mg/kg, and 0.47-2.34 mg/kg and 0.001-0.46 mg/kg respectively. The mean lead level in the milk-based formulae (1.49 0.89 mg/kg) was slightly higher than other groups of formulae but the difference was not significant (p<0.05). The mean level of cadmium (0.17 mg/kg) in milk-based infant formulae was higher than levels in cereal and cereal mix but there was no significant statistical difference (p<0.05) between the samples. The lead and cadmium level in milk, cereal and cereal mixed based infant formulae were above the food safe limits. The consumption of infant formulae may add to the body burden of cadmium and lead of children with attendant public health implication. Regular monitoring and safety assessment of metals contamination of these infant formulae is advised.

Assessment of human health risk due to potentially toxic elements intake via consumption of Egyptian rice-based and wheat-based baby cereals

ABSTRACT Commercially available baby cereals have become an important part of the diet of many infants and toddlers because of their mineral and vitamin content that fulfils the dietary requirements of these target groups. The presence of contaminants such as metals in infant formulas may pose health risks for children. Therefore, cumulative exposure from such formulas should not exceed the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for toxic metals as set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for essential trace elements. In this study, analysis of 28 samples covering 12 different brands of popular baby cereals collected from different Egyptian markets to assess whether the intake complied with the upper permissible levels for tested metals was performed. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP OES) coupled with ultrasonic nebuliser unit was optimised, validated and applied in the routine method of analysis for the determination of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), antimony (Sb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), tin (Sn), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) in different baby cereal samples. The results showed that all analysed samples were free from any detectable amount of Cr, Pb and Sb, while the mean concentrations, in mg/kg (dry weight), were as follows: 3.30 (Mn), 47.40 (Fe), 0.02 (Cd), 1.00 (Cu) and 11.4 (Zn). The human health risk assessment was evaluated for daily and weekly intakes, the hazard quotient and the hazard index. The results of the health risk values were found to be significantly below the recommended tolerable levels and acceptable guideline values, which indicated that there are no carcinogenic effects may occur.

Assessing inorganic arsenic in rice and its health risk to consumers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

PurposeThe consumption of rice that contains high levels of inorganic arsenic may cause human health risk. This study aims to determine As species concentrations, particularly iAs, in raw rice in Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City and its health risks.Design/methodology/approachA total of 60 polished raw composite samples of rice were purchased from traditional markets and supermarkets in HCM City. All samples were analyzed by HPLC-ICPMS for As species determination.FindingsMean concentrations of inorganic arsenic in all samples, which were purchased from supermarket and traditional market, were 88.8 µg/kg and 80.6 µg/kg, respectively. Overall, inorganic arsenic level was 84.7 µg/kg and contributed the highest proportion of arsenic species in rice with 67.7%. The proportion profiles for arsenic species were: As (III) (60 %); dimethylarsinic acid (32.2 %); As (V) (7.7 %) and methylarsonic acid (0.1 %). Inorganic arsenic level in raw rice was below the recommendation of World Health Organization. Using the benchmark dose recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), all exposure doses were lower than BMDL05. However, as the doses ranged from 3.0 to 8.6 of Margin of Exposure (MOE), the health risk of iAs from rice consumption remains public health concern.Originality/valueThe study results report on the surveillance data of the presence of inorganic arsenic in raw rice products, which are available in the supermarkets and traditional markets, and its health risk to consumers in a metropolitan city in Vietnam.

Making life look and taste better

Making life look and taste better

Dietary exposure assessment of cadmium, arsenic, and lead in market rice from Sri Lanka.

Rice is frequently reported to be contaminated with heavy metals (HMs); thus, the human health risks from its consumption have received increasing attention. A total of 165 commercial rice samples from Sri Lanka were collected to determine their cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb) concentrations. The exposure risk for Sri Lankans from the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of these toxicants was assessed. Simultaneously, non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were evaluated using hazard quotients (HQs) and the hazard index (HI). The results revealed that the average levels of Cd, As, and Pb in commercial rice were 0.080 ± 0.130, 0.077 ± 0.040, and 0.031 ± 0.050mg/kg, respectively, with ranges of 0.003-0.727, 0.019-0.217, and 0.001-0.345mg/kg (expressed on a dry weight basis), respectively. The average EDIs of Cd, inorganic As (iAs), and Pb were 0.772, 0.490, and 0.306μg/kg body weight (bw)/day, respectively; these were below provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) values recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), but iAs was above the recommended reference doses (RfDs) recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). However, approximately 25% and 75% of the Cd and iAs HQs for the Sri Lankan population, respectively, were greater than 1, suggesting a potential health risk, whereas the HQs for Pb was less than 1. Considering the additive effect, HI values of the P90, P95, P97.5, and P99 percentiles would reach 4.773, 6.458, 8.392, and 11.614, implying that intake of the combined metals might result in potential health risks.

Yetişkinlerde Konserve Balık Tüketimine Bağlı Ağır Metal Maruziyet Riskinin Değerlendirilmesi

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Ankara piyasasında satılan 7 farklı türe ait (ton, sardalya, somon, uskumru, hamsi, alabalık ve levrek) 66 adet konserve balığın ağır metal içeriklerini analiz etmek ve yetişkin bireylerin ağır metal maruziyet düzeylerinin saptanarak risk değerlendirmesini yapmak amacıyla planlanmış ve yürütülmüştür.&#x0D; Gereç ve Yöntem: Tüm konserve balık örneklerinin ICP-MS (indüktif eşleşmiş plazma-kütle spektrometresi) cihazında kurşun (Pb), kadmiyum (Cd), alüminyum (Al) ve arsenik (As) analizleri yapılmıştır. Yetişkin bireylerin haftada 2 porsiyon konserve balık tüketmeleri halinde maruz kalacakları Pb, Cd, Al ve As düzeyleri hesaplanmıştır.&#x0D; Bulgular: Analiz edilen balıklar içerisinde Pb ve Cd açısından en yüksek içeriğe sahip olan tür ton balığıdır (sırasıyla; 0.12±0.16 mg/kg, 6.41±4.98 mcg/kg). Alüminyum açısından en yüksek konsantrasyona sahip konserve hamsi iken (1.91±0.15 mg/kg), As açısından en yüksek düzey sardalya da (2.16±1.13 mg/kg) belirlenmiştir. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre yetişkin bireylerde Pb, Cd, Al ve As maruziyetinin Besin ve İlaç İdaresi (FDA) ve Gıda Katkı Maddeleri Ortak FAO/WHO Uzmanlar Komitesi (JECFA) tarafından belirlenen üst limitlerin altında olduğu saptanmıştır.&#x0D; Sonuç ve Öneriler: Günümüzde konserve balıklar ulaşılabilirlik ve tüketim kolaylığı nedeniyle tercih edilmektedir. Ancak taze veya konserve balıklar diyetimizde ağır metaller yönünden de potansiyel bir risk olarak gösterilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, piyasada satılan farklı içeriğe sahip konserve balıkların farklı düzeylerde ağır metal içeriğine sahip olduğu ve yetişkinlerin farklı düzeylerde ağır metale maruz kaldığı saptanmıştır. Piyasada satışa sunulan farklı türde konserve balıkların günlük tüketim miktarlarına göre farklı yaş gruplarındaki bireylerin ağır metal maruziyet riskini değerlendiren çalışma sayısı oldukça azdır. Bu konuda daha kapsamlı çalışmaların yapılması gerekmektedir.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Foods: A Critical Review

Objective: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well researched chemicals in foods that have been found to exhibit mutagenic and carcinogenic potentials. This study examined available literature on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in foods, sources, effects and remediation. Methods: Available literature on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in foods, sources, effects and remediation was critically reviewed. Results: The review showed that carcinogenicity of PAHs varies from the potent to moderately carcinogenic PAHs which include 3-methylcholanthrene, Benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, 5-methylchrysene, and dibenz[a,j]anthracene, whereas benzo[e]pyrene, dibenz[a,c]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[c]phenanthrene and fluoranthene are relatively weak or inactive carcinogens. Cooking processes have been found to be a major source of PAHs in foods. Although, PAHs can also be formed during curing and processing of raw food prior to cooking, several researchers in recent years have shown that the major dietary sources of PAHs are fish and meat especially where there is high consumption of meat cooked over an open flame. Several procedures and methods have been developed recently to assess and detect PAHs in foods and more recently, bio-monitoring procedures have also been developed to assess human exposure to PAHs. Numerous organizations such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IACR), the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF), the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have been involved in evaluating the occurrence and toxicity of PAHs. Conclusion: Conclusively, taking into consideration the sources of PAHs generation, adequate process and quality control of the processed foods could be a veritable mean to reduce PAHs ingestion in foods.