Heavy metal contamination in food products and its risks to human health
Keywords:
Food contamination, Heavy metals, Toxicological risk, Food safetyAbstract
The spread of heavy metals in the environment has become a global phenomenon, driven by their high transport, dispersion, and bioaccumulation capacity. This phenomenon has been fueled by increased industrial and mining activities, the expansion of agricultural and livestock farming, and by growing pollution problems. Due to these circumstances, the presence of heavy metals has become ubiquitous, constituting a global concern. Their entry into fundamental production systems, such as livestock farming, and their presence in foods for human consumption, such as cow's milk, exacerbate this problem. Objective of the review: The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the main sources of heavy metal contamination in livestock, initially focusing on those of anthropogenic origin, and subsequently examining natural sources, as well as various production factors that contribute to the increase in such contamination. The analysis of the transfer of these elements to animals was also addressed, assessing their impact on health and productivity. Likewise, the main heavy metals present were identified, such as arsenic (As), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), whose detection in milk represents a potential risk to human health. Finally, the reference concentrations established by international regulations for milk were compiled as a measure of food safety.
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