Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Assessing Heavy Metal Contamination in Food: Implications for Human Health and Environmental Safety.

Mititelu M, Neacșu SM, Busnatu ȘS, Scafa-Udriște A, Andronic O, Lăcraru AE, Ioniță-Mîndrican CB, Lupuliasa D, Negrei C, Olteanu G.

Toxics · 2025

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Summary

This review examines heavy metal contamination across food supply chains, synthesising evidence on the prevalence of toxic elements in consumed foods and their implications for human health and environmental safety. The paper likely evaluates exposure pathways, vulnerable populations, and risk mitigation strategies across multiple food commodities. Such reviews typically contextualise contamination within broader food systems and agricultural practices.

UK applicability

Findings are relevant to UK food safety regulation and monitoring under Food Standards Agency jurisdiction, particularly regarding imported foods and domestic agricultural contamination from legacy industrial pollution or atmospheric deposition. UK applicability depends on whether the review addresses European regulatory standards and UK-specific food chain data.

Key measures

Heavy metal concentrations in food; human health risk assessment; environmental contamination pathways

Outcomes reported

The study assessed the presence and concentration of heavy metals (likely including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic) in various food commodities and evaluated the associated human health risks and environmental safety concerns.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Food safety and contaminant toxicology
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Food supply chain
DOI
10.3390/toxics13050333
Catalogue ID
NRmo3d4gae-03a

Topic tags

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