scholarly journals Microplastics Pollution as an Invisible Potential Threat to Food Safety and Security, Policy Challenges and the Way Forward

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (24) ◽  
pp. 9591
Author(s):  
Sunusi Usman ◽  
Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis ◽  
Khozirah Shaari ◽  
Mohammad Noor Azmai Amal ◽  
Mohd Zamri Saad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Food Products ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Health Organization

Technological advances, coupled with increasing demands by consumers, have led to a drastic increase in plastic production. After serving their purposes, these plastics reach our water bodies as their destination and become ingested by aquatic organisms. This ubiquitous phenomenon has exposed humans to microplastics mostly through the consumption of sea food. This has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to make an urgent call for the assessment of environmental pollution due to microplastics and its effect on human health. This review summarizes studies between 1999 and 2020 in relation to microplastics in aquatic ecosystems and human food products, their potential toxic effects as elicited in animal studies, and policies on their use and disposal. There is a paucity of information on the toxicity mechanisms of microplastics in animal studies, and despite their documented presence in food products, no policy has been in place so far, to monitor and regulates microplastics in commercial foods meant for human consumption. Although there are policies and regulations with respect to plastics, these are only in a few countries and in most instances are not fully implemented due to socioeconomic reasons, so they do not address the problem across the entire life cycle of plastics from production to disposal. More animal research to elucidate pathways and early biomarkers of microplastic toxicity that can easily be detected in humans is needed. This is to create awareness and influence policies that will address this neglected threat to food safety and security.

Some Physicochemical Parameters of Wastewater from an Oil Industry at Point of Discharge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
O. A. F Wokoma ◽  
◽  
O. S Edori ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
World Health ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Water Association ◽  
Wastewater Samples ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Rivers State

Wastewater samples were collected from an oil industry at the point of discharge for a period of two years, from January 2018 – December 2019. The wastewater samples were analyzed for different physicochemical parameters such as temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity, pH, alkalinity, salinity, total hydrocarbon content (THC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) to examine their conformity to fulfill requirements as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) and Drinking Water Association (DWA). The results indicated that all the parameters in the discharged wastewater were within acceptable limits of the regulatory bodies. The field data showed that the investigated firm conformed to the law by carrying out proper procedures before discharging the effluents into the public drain and river. Therefore, the release of wastewater from the industry doesn't constitute a danger to the environment as well as aquatic organisms. Keywords: Physicochemical parameter, wastewater discharge, oil industry, environment, contaminants

Food advertising during children’s television programmes in Italy

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Silvano Gallus ◽  
Elisa Borroni ◽  
Chiara Stival ◽  
Sharanpreet Kaur ◽  
Sofia Davoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Product ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Children's Television ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nutritional Values ◽  
International Guidelines ◽  
Food Advertisements ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Objective: Previous studies from European countries noted that food products promoted on TV for children did not comply with international guidelines, including the World Health Organization European Nutrient Profile Model (WHO-ENPM) and the EU Pledge Nutrition Criteria (EU-PNC, an initiative developed by leading food companies). We aim to provide new data from Italy. Design: Evaluation of Italian TV advertisements. Data on nutritional values for food product advertised were compared with nutritional standards issued by the WHO-ENPM and the EU-PNC. Setting: In total, 180 h of TV programmes from six Italian channels, 2016–2017. Participants: Eight hundred and ten consecutive advertisements during children’s programmes. Results: Out of 810 advertisements, 90 (11·1 %) referred to food products. Among these, 84·5 % of the foods promoted did not meet the WHO-ENPM and 55·6 % the EU-PNC guidelines. Advertisements promoting sweet and salty snacks (i.e. ≥ 70 % of all foods) v. other food products showed higher non-compliance with both the WHO-ENPM (OR: 73·8; 95 % CI: 4·09, 1330) and the EU-PNC (OR: 9·21; 95 % CI: 2·82, 30·1). Conclusions: In Italy, most food advertisements during children’s programmes are not compliant with European nutritional standards. Almost all the advertisements for snacks do not meet international guidelines. As the WHO-ENPM guidelines do not propose standards for all the food products, including meals, there is an urgent need to define independent and easy-to-read guidelines for food advertisements targeting children. As a first step towards the complete ban of food advertisements targeting children recommended by other researchers, these guidelines should be enforced by all the TV broadcasts.

scholarly journals Design and Development of an Instrument on Knowledge of Food Safety, Practices, and Risk Perception Addressed to Children and Adolescents from Low-Income Families

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2324
Author(s):  
Sueny Andrade Batista ◽  
Elke Stedefeldt ◽  
Eduardo Yoshio Nakano ◽  
Mariana de Oliveira Cortes ◽  
Raquel Braz Assunção Botelho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Students ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Rules Set

In the fight against foodborne diseases, expanding access to information for different groups is needed. In this aspect, it is crucial to evaluate the target audience’s particularities. This study constructed and validated an instrument containing three questionnaires to identify the level of knowledge, practices, and risk perception of food safety by low-income students between 11 and 14 years old. The following steps were used: systematic search of the databases; conducting and analyzing focus groups; questionnaires development; and questionnaires analysis. After two judges’ rounds, the final version was reached with 11 knowledge items, 11 practice items, and five risk perception items. The content validation index values were higher than 0.80. The adopted methodology considered the students’ understanding and perceptions, as well the appropriate language to be used. Besides, it allowed the development of questionnaires that directly and straightforwardly covers the rules set by the World Health Organization for foodborne disease control called Five Keys to Safer Food (keep clean; separate raw and cooked; cook thoroughly; keep food at safe temperatures; and use safe water and raw materials). Its use can result in a diagnosis for elaborating educational proposals and other actions against foodborne illness in the most vulnerable population.

scholarly journals HEAVY METAL CONTENT IN SOME SEAFOODS COLLECTED FROM MUARA ANGKE FISH AUCTION PLACE, JAKARTA.

1987 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Horas Hutagalung ◽  
Suwirma Syamsu
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
Heavy Metal Content ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Zn Content ◽  
Standard Set ◽  
Health Organization

Determination of  heavy  metal  content  (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Zn) in some seafoods collected from  Muara  Angke  Fish  Auction  Place  were carried out during February to July 1979. The results showed  that Zn  content  in seafoods a nalyzed  was always much higher than the other heavy metals. The concentration levels of  the  six  heavy  metals observed were low. It is almost of the same level as the metal concentration of  other  seafoods  observed  in various parts of the world oceans, but still lower  than the maximum standard set  for human  consumption  as  established  by   Tasmania, Australia and  World Health Organization. The  mean  per capita  consumption of  fish  in Jakarta is only  about 165 g  per week, while  the  Provisional Tolerated Weekly Intake for Hg, set by WHO/FAO at 300 ug level, would be attained by consuming 1500 g Rastrelliger sp., or 698 gPenaeus setiferus, or 545 g Sepia sp., and or 1250 g Pecten sp.  Therefore,  at   present the  level of metal content in fishes sold at TPI  Muara  Angke  can be  considered  as  not  dangerous  to human health as long as these quantities are not surpassed.

scholarly journals Análise geoquímica das águas subterrâneas no município de Boquira, no semiárido baiano - Brasil

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16
Author(s):  
Maria da Conceição Gomes ◽  
Danilo Melo ◽  
Maíra da Costa ◽  
José Ângelo dos Anjos ◽  
Michael Trinta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geochemical Modeling ◽  
Saturation Index ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Alluvial Deposits ◽  
Environmental Liabilities ◽  
Lead Zinc ◽  
Ionic Relations ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Health Organization

The geochemical analysis was carried out in the center-south portion of the state of Bahia, in the semi-arid region of Bahia, where outcrop the Paramirim Complex, Boquira Unit, Boquira Granite, Veredinha Granite, Serra do Espinhaço, detritus coverings and alluvial deposits. The Boquira Unit is known for lead-zinc mineralization. In this unit operated the Boquira mine, considered the largest lead and zinc mine in Brazil, until it was suddenly abandoned, leaving significant environmental liabilities of toxic metals such as lead, zinc, silver, barium, copper, chromium and nickel. To characterize the groundwater 16 physical-chemical parameters from 24 wells were used, obtained from the Water and Sanitation Engineering Company of Bahia - CERB. Its classification was made in the Piper Diagram and the ionic relations in meq/L. To evaluate the quality of the water we used the Consolidation Ordinance no 5/2017 of the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization. With the PHREEQC 3.5 hydrochemical model, the saturation index of the analyzed elements was calculated. The results showed predominance of calcium chloride waters (71% of the samples), with ionic relations of type rCa2+> rMg2+>rNa+ and rCl->rHCO3->rSO42+. Geochemical modeling indicated calcite (CaCO3), dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) and quartz (SiO2) as the main minerals with a tendency to precipitation. The first two were associated with the dissolution of the Boquira Unit carbonates and the third one with the quartzites of the Serra do Espinhaço Formation. The concentrations of calcium and chloride showed 54% and 25% of the samples above the Maximum Allowable Value for human consumption, respectively, representing a risk factor to the health of the population in the area.

scholarly journals Assessment of Mycological Quality of Groundwater in Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 76-81
Author(s):  
Glory Richard ◽  
Ebinyo Rebecca Aseibai
Keyword(s):  
Potable Water ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Statistical Variation ◽  
Total Fungi ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Microbiological Procedures ◽  
Agricultural Organization

This study examined the mycological quality of groundwater in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Triplicate water samples were obtained from 8 locations in the metropolis, and the fungi quality analyzed following standard microbiological procedures. Results showed that total fungi density ranged from 5.2±1.00 x102 to 8.50±0.56 x103 CFU/ml. Analysis of variance indicates statistical variation (p=0.001) across locations with total fungi density exceeding the limit of 102 CFU/ml specified by World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization for potable water in 62.50% of samples. Eight fungi isolates (species) were identified in the study with frequency across the locations as follows: Aspergillus flavus (20.59%), Aspergillus fumigatus (20.59%), Aspergillus niger (20.59%), Cladosporum (5.88%), Fusarium (2.94%), Mucor (8.82%), Penicilium (14.71%) and Rhizopus (5.88%). Of these, Aspergillus species were predominant across the locations. Since groundwater meets diverse purposes, it is essential that it is suitable for the desired use, and this can be done using appropriate technology to make groundwater potable for human consumption.

scholarly journals A Detailed Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan, and Suitability for Future Development

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussain Ali Jawadi ◽  
Jay Sagin ◽  
Daniel D. Snow
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Physicochemical Analysis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Total Hardness ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Water Type ◽  
Dissolved Solids ◽  
Health Organization

Kabul is one of the most populated cities in Afghanistan and providing resources to support this population in an arid climate presents a serious environmental challenge. The current study evaluated the quality of local Kabul Basin groundwater to determine its suitability water for drinking and irrigation purposes now and into the future. This aim was aided through groundwater parameter assessment as well as determination of Water Quality Index (WQI) developed from 15 observation points near the city. The results of our physicochemical analysis illustrate that groundwater in the majority of areas of the Kabul Basin is not generally suitable for human consumption, and in some cases the concentrations of many contaminants are higher than accepted health standards or water quality benchmarks. The aquifer underlies an arid landscape, and because of this 85% of the samples tested are very hard while just over 13% are classified as hard. Groundwater in the Kabul Basin is typically high in calcium and magnesium and overall classified as a calcium bicarbonate water type. Overall, more than 60% of the analyzed samples had concentrations higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of total dissolved solids (TDS), 10% in total hardness (TH), about 30% in turbidity and more than 90% in magnesium. The results show that based on WQI, without treatment, roughly 5% of groundwater in the studied area is unsuitable for human consumption, while 13.3% is very poor and 40% is poor quality water. Approximately 40% of the assessed groundwater has good quality and could be used as drinking water for future development. Groundwater in some areas shows evidence of pollution and high dissolved solids content, rendering these sources unsuitable for either drinking or irrigation purposes.

scholarly journals Total mercury in the night shark, Carcharhinus signatus in the western equatorial Atlantic Ocean

2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Gomes Ferreira ◽  
Vicente Vieira Faria ◽  
Carlos Euardo Veiga de Carvalho ◽  
Rosangela Paula Teixeira Lessa ◽  
Francisco Marcante Santana da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Total Mercury ◽  
Atomic Emission ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Equatorial Atlantic ◽  
Daily Ingestion ◽  
Equatorial Atlantic Ocean ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Health Organization

Mercury is the only element capable to biomagnificate along the food chain, and carnivorous fish tend to accumulate high concentrations of this element. Total mercury in muscle tissue of Carcharhinus signatus sampled along the western equatorial Atlantic Ocean was measured by atomic emission spectrophotometry with ICP/AES. The average total mercury concentrations were consistently greater than the maximum limit for human consumption established by the Brazilian Health Ministry for carnivorous fishes (1000 µg. kg-1 w.w.). Therefore, an average consumption of 0.1 kg/day of C. signatus would result in an average daily ingestion of 174.2 µg of Hg, more than five times the 30 µg/day intake established by the World Health Organization. In the range of lengths studied, body length could not be used as an indicator of the Hg contamination degree for C. signatus. Also, sex cannot be considered a determining factor in the total mercury accumulation in C. signatus.

scholarly journals A Review of Dietary Zinc Recommendations

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalind S. Gibson ◽  
Janet C. King ◽  
Nicola Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
World Health ◽  
Institute Of Medicine ◽  
Dietary Zinc ◽  
Zinc Bioavailability ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Us ◽  
Zinc Nutrition ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Large discrepancies exist among the dietary zinc recommendations set by expert groups. Objective: To describe the basis for the differences in the dietary zinc recommendations set by the World Health Organization, the US Institute of Medicine, the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group, and the European Food Safety Agency. Methods: We compared the sources of the data, the concepts, and methods used by the 4 expert groups to set the physiological requirements for absorbed zinc, the dietary zinc requirements (termed estimated and/or average requirements), recommended dietary allowances (or recommended nutrient intakes or population reference intakes), and tolerable upper intake levels for selected age, sex, and life-stage groups. Results: All 4 expert groups used the factorial approach to estimate the physiological requirements for zinc. These are based on the estimates of absorbed zinc required to offset all obligatory zinc losses plus any additional requirements for absorbed zinc for growth, pregnancy, or lactation. However, discrepancies exist in the reference body weights used, studies selected, approaches to estimate endogenous fecal zinc (EFZ) losses, the adjustments applied to derive dietary zinc requirements that take into account zinc bioavailability in the habitual diets, number of dietary zinc recommendations set, and the nomenclature used to describe them. Conclusions: Estimates for the physiological and dietary requirements varied across the 4 expert groups. The European Food Safety Agency was the only expert group that set dietary zinc recommendations at 4 different levels of dietary phytate for adults (but not for children) and as of yet no tolerable upper intake level for any life-stage group.

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