Protect Consumer Health Research Articles

Potential Production of Mycotoxins by the Fungal Flora Isolated from "Garba" (Côte D'ivoire)

Garba, an Ivorian dish composed of attiéké (a fermented cassava couscous), fried tuna, and condiments, is increasingly consumed by the population, particularly in the streets of Abidjan. However, garba could pose a health risk to consumers. This study, aimed at preserving public health, sought to identify the toxigenic fungal flora present in garba sold on the streets of Abidjan. To this end, 300 garba samples were collected from four districts of Abidjan. Fungal strains contaminating the garba were enumerated and identified using classical mycological methods. Mycotoxins (aflatoxins and ochratoxins) were quantified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results showed that the average mold counts ranged from 0 to 1.8 x 10^3 CFU/g. The isolated mold strains belonged to ten species grouped into four genera: Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium and Paecilomyces, with Mucor spp. (36.89%) and Aspergillus niger (30.09%) being the most predominant. The mycotoxins detected in garba were aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) and ochratoxin A, with average levels ranging from 0.42 to 8.07 µg/kg. Approximately 37% and 23% of garba samples had total aflatoxin and aflatoxin B1 levels exceeding regulatory limits. The presence of potentially mycotoxigenic fungal strains in garba could pose a health risk to consumers. Compliance with good hygiene practices during the production and sale of garba will therefore be necessary to considerably reduce contamination and protect consumer health.

Characterising okadaic acid (OA) toxicity both in vitro and in vivo, using a comparative porcine model (MOKAPIG).

Food toxicology helps to protect the health and safety of consumers by a better understanding of the impact of xenobiotics and natural toxins on public health. Professors Mauro Dacasto (UNIPD), Flavia Girolami (UNITU), and Anna Zaghini (UNIBO) have collaborated on a research assessing the impact of aflatoxin B1 (a harmful mycotoxin) on bovine and human health. In their current project, MOKAPIG, the researchers are using comparative human and pig in vitro models as well as the weaned pig as an animal model to shed a light on the fate of differing levels of okadaic acid (OA) in target tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. The goal of the two-year project is to expand the existing knowledge on the effects of OA on humans and pigs, including data on OA toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics and mechanistic toxicology. This will help to improve the protection of consumer health and seafood safety. MOKAPIG will first assess OA cytotoxicity and its bioavailability in vitro, characterise and profile OA metabolism and carry out comparative toxicogenomic studies. Then, the project will explore the in vivo toxicity of OA using a porcine animal model. The reasoning behind selecting a porcine over a rodent model is that mice show limitations for the assessment of marine toxins comparative toxicity, e.g, species-differences in xenobiotic metabolism.

Seasonal Early Warning of Impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms on Farmed Shellfish in Coastal Waters of Scotland

AbstractHarmful Algal Blooms (HABs) can produce phycotoxins that accumulate in shellfish and subsequently poison aquatic predators and human consumers, potentially causing significant economic impacts to the shellfish aquaculture industry. HAB events are challenging to foresee as they are driven by complex inter‐annual and seasonal changes in physical, chemical and biological factors. Accounting for these environmental drivers and their interactions in statistical models allows for the development of HAB early warning systems. Typically, these have a forecasting horizon of 1–2 weeks, allowing shellfish businesses and regulators to increase monitoring intensity and take evasive action, including harvesting suspensions to protect consumer health. However, there is critical need for longer‐term predictions of risk, to enable more proactive mitigation, business planning, harvest scheduling and supply chain management. We present a statistical framework for providing seasonal‐scale early warnings of the occurrence and impacts of Dinophysis spp. HABs on shellfish aquaculture in Scotland, UK. We use penalized smooth functions of winter‐spring daily sea surface temperature to predict the severity and impact of ensuing summer blooms, including the percentage of toxicity measurements exceeding the harvesting closure threshold, as well as the anticipated start, end, and overall duration of closures. We illustrate the application of this framework to two Scottish aquaculture regions: One with a high spatial concentration of harvesting sites (Shetland) and one with more dispersed sites (West Scotland and the Hebrides). Through a comprehensive yearly prediction experiment, we demonstrate considerable skill in predicting the impact of unseen HAB seasons at a regional level.

Multidrug-Resistant Proteus mirabilis and Other Gram-Negative Species Isolated from Native Egyptian Chicken Carcasses.

Poultry carcasses may be reservoirs for the zoonotic transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria to humans and pose a major public health hazard. During the isolation of Salmonella from poultry and other foods, many of the presumptive typical Salmonella colonies on xylose lysine deoxycholate (XLD) agar were found to lack the invA gene, which is the specific target gene for Salmonella spp. Therefore, the current study aimed to estimate the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of extensively drug-resistant invA-negative non-Salmonella isolates recovered from native Egyptian chicken carcasses as presumptive Salmonella colonies on XLD agar. The non-Salmonella isolates were detected in 84% (126/150) of the examined native Egyptian chicken carcasses and classified into five genera, with prevalence rates of 64% (96/150), 14% (21/150), 6.7% (10/150), 3.3% (5/150), and 1.3% (2/150) for Proteus, Citrobacter, Shigella, Pseudomonas, and Edwardsiella, respectively. One hundred and ninety-five invA-negative, non-verified presumptive Salmonella isolates were recovered and classified at the species level into Proteus mirabilis (132/195; 67.7%), Proteus vulgaris (11/195; 5.6%), Citrobacter freundii (26/195; 13.3%), Shigella flexneri (8/195; 4.1%), Shigella sonnei (6/195; 3.1%), Shigella dysenteriae (3/195; 1.5%), Pseudomonas fluorescens (6/195; 3.1%), and Edwardsiella tarda (3/195; 1.5%). All (195/195; 100%) of these isolates showed resistance against cefaclor and fosfomycin. Additionally, these isolates showed high resistance rates of 98%, 92.8%, 89.7%, 89.2%, 89.2%, 86.7%, 80%, 78.5%, 74.4%, and 73.9% against cephalothin, azithromycin, vancomycin, nalidixic acid, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, cefepime, gentamicin, cefotaxime, and ciprofloxacin, respectively. Interestingly, all (195/195; 100%) of the identified isolates were resistant to at least five antibiotics and exhibited an average MAR (multiple antibiotic resistance) index of 0.783. Furthermore, 73.9% of the examined isolates were classified as extensively drug-resistant, with an MAR index equal to 0.830. The high prevalence of extensively drug-resistant foodborne Proteus, Citrobacter, Shigella, Pseudomonas, and Edwardsiella isolated from native chicken carcasses poses a great hazard to public health and necessitates more monitoring and concern about the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals. This study also recommends the strict implementation of GHP (good hygienic practices) and GMP (good manufacturing practices) in the chicken meat supply chain to protect consumer health.

An innovative variant based on generative adversarial network (GAN): Regression GAN combined with hyperspectral imaging to predict pesticide residue content of Hami melon

The rapid and non-destructive detection of pesticide residues in Hami melons plays substantial importance in protecting consumer health. However, the investment of time and resources needed to procure sample data poses a challenge, often resulting in limited data set and consequently leading insufficient accuracy of the established models. In this study, an innovative variant based on generative adversarial network (GAN) was proposed, named regression GAN (RGAN). It was used to synchronically extend the visible near-infrared (VNIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral data and corresponding acetamiprid residue content data of Hami melon. The support vector regression (SVR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were trained using the generated data, and subsequently validate them with real data to assess the reliability of the generated data. In addition, the generated data were added to the real data to extend the dataset. The SVR model based on SWIR-HSI data achieved the optimal performance after data augmentation, yielding the values of Rp2, RMSEP and RPD were 0.8781, 0.6962 and 2.7882, respectively. The RGAN extends the range of GAN applications from classification problems to regression problems. It serves as a valuable reference for the quantitative analysis of chemometrics.

The Application of Hydrogen Sulfide Fluorescent Probe in Food Preservation, Detection and Evaluation.

This work primarily reviewed the response mechanism of fluorescent probes for H2S detection in foodstuffs in recent years, as well as the methodologies employed for detecting foodstuffs. Firstly, the significance of studying H2S gas as an important signaling molecule is introduced. Subsequently, a review of the response mechanism of the scientific community on how to detect H2S in foodstuffs samples by fluorescent probe technology is carried out. Secondly, the methods commonly used for detecting foodstuffs samples are discussed, including the test strip method and the spiking recovery methods. Nevertheless, despite the significant advancements in this field, there remain some research gaps. Finally, the article identifies the remaining issues that require further attention in current research and proposes avenues for future investigation. More importantly, this work identifies the current limitations of research in this field and proposes future applications of fluorescent probes for H2S in assessing food freshness and determining food spoilage. Therefore, this review will provide robust technical support for the protection of consumer health and the advancement of the sustainable development of the food industry and also put forward some new ideas and suggestions for future research.

ASSESSING THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF HEAVY METAL EXPOSURE FROM COSMETIC PRODUCTS ON LOCAL CONSUMERS

This study investigates the comprehensive impact of heavy metals (HMs) on individuals who use cosmetic products daily compared to non-users (controlled group), encompassing both male and female subjects. Utilizing Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, concentrations of HMs in diverse cosmetic products were determined, with results from samples of both user and controlled groups analyzed and compared. The range of HM concentrations in blood samples was assessed, revealing varied levels across Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As). Results revealed a wide range of HM concentrations, including Cd (0.4-5.1 µg/l in males, 1.8-8.1µg/l in females), Hg (60.7-85.5 µg/l in males, 78.5-99.3 µg/l in females), Pb (48.7-99.5 µg/l in males, 83.3-99.5 µg/l in females), and As. Some samples exceeded safety limits, emphasizing the need for stringent regulation and improved manufacturing practices to ensure safer cosmetic products and protect consumer health. The incorporation of survey methodologies enhances the study's depth, providing comprehensive insights into the potential health risks associated with HM exposure from cosmetic use.

A new paradigm in cigarette smoke detection: Rapid identification technique based on ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and GhostNet-[formula omitted]

In the tobacco field, the analysis and classification of cigarette smoke are crucial for ensuring product quality, protecting consumer health, and driving industry innovation. These analyses provide a comprehensive understanding of tobacco products and serve as a scientific basis for production standards and regulatory policies. Traditional infrared spectroscopy techniques for tobacco quality analysis often suffer from limitations such as time consumption, high costs, and complexity. To achieve efficient detection of cigarette smoke and quality control of cigarettes, this study developed a cigarette mainstream smoke detection system based on Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy technology, aimed at rapidly acquiring the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral characteristics of cigarette smoke and combining deep learning for rapid cigarette type identification. Five different brands of cigarettes were selected for this study, and a total of 400 MIR spectra of cigarette smoke aerosols were collected. Using three spectral preprocessing methods and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS), we extracted the fingerprint region (1850–650 cm-1) to generate 4800 2DCOS images. We then optimized the GhostNet network architecture and constructed a more compact and efficient deep learning model, GhostNet-α. A mixed-precision training strategy further enhanced model training speed and computational efficiency. Results show that Multiple Scatter Correction (MSC)-preprocessed synchronous 2DCOS images achieved 100 % classification accuracy. This study validates GhostNet-α’s efficiency and accuracy in cigarette smoke recognition, offering a new technical approach for quality control and rapid detection in the tobacco industry, significantly enhancing its competitiveness and consumer health protection.

Routine oxygen heterocyclic compounds analysis of fragrances using an eco-friendly liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry method

ABSTRACT Coumarin and furocoumarins characterization in cosmetics plays an important role in protecting consumer health. The analytical technique mostly employed for the analysis of these molecules is certainly liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array or mass spectrometer detectors. The aim of this article was to investigate on the oxygen heterocyclic compounds content in fifty hydro alcoholic fragrances using a fast, sensitive and eco-friendly liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer detector analytical method without any sample pre-treatment. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first research article on the quantification of thirty-six oxygen heterocyclic compounds in hydro alcoholic fragrances in less than 4 min and with the use of water/ethanol as mobile phase. Thanks to the good performance of the analytical method used, this can be proposed among the routine methods for the quality control of cosmetics and finished products.

Biogenic Amines in Seafood

Biogenic amines (BAs) are organic compounds naturally formed in foods through the microbial decarboxylation of amino acids. These compounds are particularly significant in seafood due to the high susceptibility of these products to microbial contamination and improper storage conditions. Biogenic amines, including histamine, tyramine, putrescine, and cadaverine, are often indicators of food freshness and spoilage. Their presence at high levels can pose serious health risks to consumers, making the study of their formation, types, and control methods crucial for food safety. This comprehensive review examines the mechanisms underlying the formation of biogenic amines in seafood. The primary sources of these compounds are bacteria from the families Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae. Factors such as temperature, pH, and oxygen availability significantly influence bacterial activity and, consequently, biogenic amine production. Histamine is highlighted as one of the most toxic biogenic amines, capable of causing histamine poisoning, which presents symptoms such as flushing, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Control and prevention strategies for biogenic amine formation are critically discussed, including the maintenance of the cold chain, hygienic processing techniques, salting, fermentation, and the use of starter cultures. Additionally, innovative microbial inactivation methods such as high hydrostatic pressure and UV radiation are explored for their efficacy in reducing biogenic amine levels. The review also addresses current regulations and standards set by international health authorities, particularly focusing on histamine levels in fish and fish products. These regulations ensure regular monitoring and compliance to protect consumer health. Future research directions are proposed, emphasizing the need for developing new detection methods for rapid and sensitive identification of biogenic amines, improving bacterial inactivation techniques, and advancing genetic and molecular biology studies to better understand the production mechanisms of these compounds. Furthermore, raising consumer awareness about the health impacts of biogenic amines through educational programs is highlighted as a critical area for public health promotion. In conclusion, the review underscores the importance of biogenic amines in seafood quality and safety. Effective control and prevention measures, combined with ongoing research and regulatory compliance, are essential to minimize health risks associated with these compounds. Ensuring proper handling, storage, and processing conditions, along with increasing consumer awareness, will contribute significantly to managing and mitigating the risks posed by biogenic amines in seafood.

Recent legislation and emerging trends in Cosmetology

As the science of Cosmetology evolves, facing increasingly high demands, the legislative framework related to cosmetic products in the European Union, which is extremely well organized, is constantly on the alert in order to ensure the protection of consumer health and the quality of the environment, but also the avoidance of fraud and financial loss. Challenges constantly arise for new opinions and regulations-amendments of legislative content, which can affect any point in the life cycle of a cosmetic product, from the conception of the initial idea, to the rejection of the product. Sometimes the trends that appear are harbingers of a later need that should be legally defined. For example, the tendency to reduce the use of microplastics, which was a wish-choice in the previous years, is now legally mandated. Therefore, sometimes legislative developments and trends in a field interact significantly. Some recent legislative-type events and the evolution of trends that appeared in the field of cosmetic products after the decisive experience of the pandemic that we recently experienced are selectively presented.

FRESHNets: Highly Accurate and Efficient Food Freshness Assessment Based on Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

Food freshness classification is a growing concern in the food industry, mainly to protect consumer health and prevent illness and poisoning from consuming spoiled food. Intending to take a significant step towards improving food safety and quality control measures in the industry, this study presents two models based on deep learning for the classification of fruit and vegetable freshness: a robust model and an efficient model. Models’ performance evaluation shows remarkable results; in terms of accuracy, the robust model and the efficient model achieved 97.6% and 94.0% respectively, while in terms of Area Under the Curve (AUC) score, both models achieved more than 99%, with the difference in inference time between each model over 844 images being 13 seconds.

Rapid and Visual Favor Analysis Using Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry (GC-IMS) in Meat Products: Research Progress and Future Trends

The flavor profile of meat and its processed products is highly volatile and subject to significant changes during storage, processing, and transportation. It is therefore crucial to monitor the flavor of meat to evaluate sensory quality and protect consumer health and safety. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) has become increasingly popular due to its advantages of being nondestructive, rapid, and capable of trace detection. The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using this technique is continuously applied in the assessment of food freshness, origin traceability, and adulteration detection. GC-IMS has emerged as a promising tool for accurate monitoring and characterization of VOCs in food, particularly in the field of meat flavor analysis. Its applications include meat product authentication, adulteration detection, processing and storage-related flavor changes, and freshness monitoring. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the working principle of GC-IMS and its applications in meat flavor analysis, while exploring future trends and potential limitations associated with the technique.

Efficacy of Aflatoxin decontamination in red chilli powder using Low or Vacuum -Pressure Cold Plasma Technology

Addressing aflatoxin contamination in red chilli powder requires a multi-faceted approach, including prevention, regular monitoring, and stringent regulatory measures to protect consumer health. This study seeks a technological approach to destroy the aflatoxin generated in red chilli powder. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low or vacuum pressure (VCP) plasma on detoxifying aflatoxins in red chilli (Capsicum anuum L.). Vacuum (0.5 mbar pressure) Cold Plasma treatment was applied for aflatoxins contaminated red chilli powder sample at different exposure times: 3, 6, and 9 min at 37 ˚C. All the types of aflatoxins in red chilli powder samples were significantly reduced, and AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 were not detected in any treated chilli powder samples. The lowest AFB1 level (1.6µg/kg) was recorded in a 3 min treated sample. Water activity, moisture percentage, and colour of chilli powder significantly decreased with increasing treatment time, highlighting negative effects of VCP treatment. The study reveals the potential for the removal of aflatoxin using VCP.

Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring Effort.

Globally, there is growing concern over the presence of lead (Pb) in foods because it is a heavy metal with several toxic effects on human health. However, monitoring studies have not been conducted in Mexico. In this study, we estimated the concentrations of Pb in the most consumed foods and identified those that exceeded the maximum limits (MLs) for Pb in foods established by the International Standards. Based on the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey, 103 foods and beverages were selected and purchased in Mexico City retail stores and markets. Samples were analyzed twice using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Values above the limit of quantification (0.0025 mg/kg) were considered to be detected. The percentage of detected values was 18%. The highest concentration was found in infant rice cereal (1.005 mg/kg), whole wheat bread (0.447 mg/kg), pre-cooked rice (0.276 mg/kg), black pepper (0.239 mg/kg), and turmeric (0.176 mg/kg). Among the foods with detected Pb, the levels in infant rice cereal, whole wheat bread, pre-cooked rice, and soy infant formula exceeded the MLs. The food groups with the highest percentages of exceeded MLs were baby foods (18%) and cereals (11%). Monitoring the concentration of contaminants in foods is essential for implementing food safety policies and protecting consumer health.

The Social Pillar of ESG: Exploring the Link Between Social Sustainability and Stock Price Synchronicity

This study examined the association between the social sustainability aspects of environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and stock price synchronicity in 146 publicly listed companies in India from 2011 to 2021. Social sustainability is gauged using indicators such as community engagement, adherence to human rights, customer loyalty, consumer health and safety protection, and employee welfare. Panel data regression with industry-year fixed effects reveals a positive association between social sustainability and stock price synchronicity. This finding suggests that the stocks of companies with strong social issue management are more aligned with market movements. The findings indicate that investors value ethical management, commitment to human rights and employee satisfaction. The insights provided by this study are vital for investors’ fund allocation decisions, highlighting the importance of workforce and supply chain diversity, fair workplace practices, human rights compliance and product integrity in informed investment decision-making. Overall, the research confirms the economic benefits that social sustainability bestows on companies and their investors.

Occurrence of Helicobacter pullorum in Retail Chicken Meat: A One-Health Approach to Consumer Health Protection.

Helicobacter pullorum is an emerging foodborne pathogen that commonly colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of poultry, causing gastroenteritis. It has been related to several clinically important infections, including colitis and hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, recurrent diarrhea, and bacteremia in the human population. The bacterium may be transmitted to humans through undercooked poultry meat. In order to investigate the occurrence of H. pullorum in raw retail chicken meat (thighs and breasts), we analyzed 240 samples: 120 chicken thigh and 120 chicken breast samples. The samples were analyzed by means of an isolation protocol using Steele and McDermott's modified filtration technique on Brucella agar supplemented with 5% of defibrinated sheep's blood. The presumptive colonies were biochemically identified and analyzed using a previously described conventional PCR test based on the 16S rRNA gene. In total, 35% of analyzed samples were positive using the microbiological protocol and 45% were positive by PCR. These results suggest that H. pullorum can be transmitted to humans through the handling and consumption of raw poultry meat, representing a risk for food business operators and consumers. Efforts to control H. pullorum in broiler meat should prioritize the implementation of stringent hygienic practices across all stages of the food chain, from the farm to the consumer.

Nanopore sequencing for identification and characterization of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from tilapia and shrimp sold at wet markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Wet markets in low-and middle-income countries are often reported to have inadequate sanitation resulting in fecal contamination of sold produce. Consumption of contaminated wet market-sourced foods has been linked to individual illness and disease outbreaks. This pilot study, conducted in two major wet markets in Dhaka city, Bangladesh during a 4-month period in 2021 aimed to assess the occurrence and characteristics of Escherichia coli and non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. (NTS) from tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Fifty-four individuals of each species were collected. The identity of the bacterial isolates was confirmed by PCR and their susceptibility toward 15 antimicrobials was tested by disk diffusion. The whole genome of 15 E. coli and nine Salmonella spp. were sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technology. E. coli was present in 60-74% of tilapia muscle tissue and 41-44% of shrimp muscle tissue. Salmonella spp. was found in skin (29%) and gills (26%) of tilapia, and occasionally in muscle and intestinal samples of shrimp. The E. coli had several Multilocus sequence typing and serotypes and limited antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants, such as point mutations on glpT and pmrB. One E. coli (BD17) from tilapia carried resistance genes for beta-lactams, quinolones, and tetracycline. All the E. coli belonged to commensal phylogroups B1 and A and showed no Shiga-toxin and other virulence genes, confirming their commensal non-pathogenic status. Among the Salmonella isolates, five belonged to Kentucky serovar and had similar AMR genes and phenotypic resistance patterns. Three strains of this serovar were ST198, often associated with human disease, carried the same resistance genes, and were genetically related to strains from the region. The two undetermined sequence types of S. Kentucky were distantly related and positioned in a separate phylogenetic clade. Two Brunei serovar isolates, one Augustenborg isolate, and one Hartford isolate showed different resistance profiles. This study revealed high fecal contamination levels in tilapia and shrimp sold at two main wet markets in Dhaka. Together with the occurrence of Salmonella spp., including S. Kentucky ST198, a well-known human pathogen, these results stress the need to improve hygienic practices and sanitation standards at markets to improve food safety and protect consumer health.

Fish contamination: Analysis of the EU RASFF notifications over the last 23 years

The EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) plays a vital role in protecting consumer health by enabling immediate action to be taken to eliminate hazardous products. This study analysed RASFF notifications from 2000 to 2022 to identify the most frequently reported fish products, their origin countries and associated hazards, as well as the resulting notification classification and actions. Of the 6808 notifications for fish and fish products, Spain was the most notified origin country (14.66%), followed by Vietnam (7.70%), Morocco (5.35%), China (4.48%), and Indonesia (4.02%). Out of a total of 3344 notifications, the most frequently notified fish products were tuna (16.66%), followed by swordfish (15.98%), salmon (8.23%), mackerel (4.48%), and sharks (3.77%). The top hazard categories for fish were heavy metals (26.34%), pathogenic microorganisms (15.42%), poor or insufficient controls (11.46%), parasitic infestation (10.87%), biological contaminants (10.43%), veterinary drug residues (5.17%), and composition (3.44%). The study also revealed that 27% of the fish notifications were classified as serious, whereas alerts and border rejections represented 28.7% and 25.6%, respectively. For tuna, swordfish, salmon, and mackerel, about 37.57%, 85.75%, 75.54%, and 50.49% of all notifications were related to histamine, mercury, Listeria monocytogenes, and Anisakis, respectively. The study's findings can be used to identify the most problematic hazards in each product to safeguard consumer health.

Impact of deep-fat frying cycles on the physicochemical characteristics of two edible vegetable oils marketed in Algeria

Background: Vegetable oils containing polyunsaturated fatty acids are prone to oxidation when exposed to high-temperature frying processes. Aims: This study aims to follow the changes that occur in frying oil when used to fry potatoes. Material and Methods: The impact of the ratio of potatoes (g) to oil (g) as well as the number of frying cycles on the quality of two commonly marketed oils in Algeria: 100% soybean oil (oil A) and a blend of 60% soybean, 20% sunflower, and 20% corn oil (oil B) was assessed. The quality of these oils throughout repeated frying cycles was monitored by analyzing pH, density, color, moisture, acidity, peroxide value, saponification value, and acid index. Results: The results of the present study revealed that both oils experienced deterioration as the frying cycles were repeated, with more significant degradation observed with the 1/5 ratio of fries to oil compared to the 1/8 ratio. Remarkably, the 100% soybean oil deteriorated more rapidly than the oil blend. Conclusion: Based on the observed changes in physicochemical parameters and chemical indices, the use of frying oils beyond the third cycle significantly compromises their quality and safety. This not only impacts the consumer’s health but also the organoleptic properties of fried foods. Therefore, it is highly recommended to refrain from exceeding this limit to ensure optimal frying practices and protect consumer health. Keywords: Vegetable oils, deep-fat frying, ratio of fries/volume of oil, physical quality, chemical indices.