ABSTRACT This study investigated fourteen elements in eight commercially available spices and herbs marketed in Kosovo, by using microwave-assisted acid digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The samples included single-herb products (oregano, parsley, dried parsley leaves, and turmeric) and mixed poultry seasoning blends. Elemental levels varied with botanical origin and formulation. Leafy herbs showed higher levels of calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc, whereas mixed seasonings exhibited elevated sodium levels, reflecting formulation effects. Chemometric analyses (Pearson correlation, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis) discriminated herb-based products from mixed seasonings. From a food safety perspective, the measured elemental levels provide screening-level information on the compositional variability of commercial spice–herb products, while regulatory compliance can be interpreted only for elements in food categories explicitly covered by current European Union legislation.

ABSTRACT A modified QuEChERS method coupled with LC-MS/MS was established to detect and quantify 46 pesticide residues in tea. The samples were extracted and subsequently purified using dispersive solid phase extraction sorbents such as primary secondary amine (PSA), graphitised carbon black (GCB), and octadecylsilane (C18). Matrix-matched calibration curves with regression coefficients R2 ≥ 0.99 were used to minimise the matrix effect. The recoveries of different spiked levels ranged from 65.6% to 120%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 1.7% and 8.9%. The limits of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.01–8.8 μg/kg and 0.02–29.2 μg/kg, respectively. A number of 305 tea samples of farmers’ markets in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China, were analysed for 46 pesticide residues, of which 16 were detected in 211 samples.

ABSTRACT Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that bioaccumulate in the food chain and may be a threat for human health. This study quantified PCB 118, PCB 138, PCB 153, and PCB 180 in cow’s milk, poultry eggs, and honey from Algiers and evaluated dietary exposure for adults and infants. A total of 180 samples (20 per matrix and site) were analysed by a validated GC–MS method. PCB levels ranged from < LOD to 13.6 ng/g in milk, < LOD to 10.6 ng/g in honey and < LOD to 35.3 ng/g in eggs, with significant regional differences (p < 0.05) and generally higher levels in Beraki. Estimated daily intakes were consistently higher in infants than adults. Nevertheless, congener specific hazard quotients/toxic equivalents and cumulative hazard indices remained below 1 for all matrices, indicating low non carcinogenic risk under the applied assumptions. These baseline data support monitoring and source oriented mitigation strategies in Algeria for food safety reasons.

ABSTRACT Rapid urbanisation has increased heavy metal pollution. While vegetables are vital for health, rising metal contamination can pose significant risks that need attention. To evaluate the health risks of consuming vegetables for residents in Gansu Province, this study used ICP-MS to determine Pb and Cd content in 178 vegetable samples and to conduct risk assessments. The average levels of Pb and Cd in vegetables were 0.104 and 0.014 mg/kg, with Cd exceeding Chinese maximum limits in 8.4% of the samples. Deterministic assessment indicated that the hazard quotients (HQs) and hazard index (HI) of Pb and Cd were below 1. Probabilistic assessments were consistent. The carcinogenic risk (CR) of Pb in vegetables was below 10−4. CR of Cd was above 10−4 in 80.1% of males and 82.4% of females. Thus, Pb in vegetables did not pose a health risk, but Cd may pose a carcinogenic risk.

ABSTRACT The rising global demand for medicinal herbs has increased human consumption, raising concerns about potential health risks related to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), especially among infants due to frequent use in certain cultures. To perform a market survey, an LC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed to detect five QACs, including Benzalkonium Chlorides (BACs) and Dialkyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DDAC), in dry medicinal herbs. The method employed QuEChERS extraction with acetonitrile and achieved chromatographic separation with a poroshell C18 column. Method validation was conducted according to Eurachem and SANTE/11312/2021 guidelines, showing high sensitivity and selectivity, with recoveries between 70% and 110% and RSDs below 5%. The method was applied to market samples, resulting in 33% exceedances of the maximum residue limits. In this study also dietary exposure risks for adults, toddlers and infants were evaluated. Preliminary risk assessment indicated acceptable dietary exposure risks.

ABSTRACT There are many studies, both abroad and in Turkey, on the detection of antibiotic residues in animal products. However, studies on this subject in the Hatay region are rare. Within the scope of this study, the presence of 14 types of antibiotic residues (ampicillin, amoxycillin, demeclocycline, doxycycline, enrofloxacin, chlortetracycline, novobiocin, oxytetracycline, penicillin G, streptomycin, sulphadimethoxine, sulphamethazine, tetracycline, and tylosin) in samples from animal products such as beef, poultry, milk, and eggs sold unbranded in Hatay were investigated using HPLC. Total antibiotic residues were between 0.257 and 0.891 mg kg−1 in poultry, between 0.357 and 0.971 mg kg−1 in mutton, between 0.077 and 0.218 mg kg−1 in beef, between 0.591 and 1.985 mg L−1 in milk, and between 0.006 and 1.605 mg kg−1 in egg samples. Antibiotic residues were detected in all samples examined. This shows that some manufacturers are still careless regarding the correct application of antibiotics.

ABSTRACT This study provides occurrence data for acrylamide in various foodstuffs, including those covered by Recommendation (EU) 2019/1888, from 210 samples purchased on the Belgian market. Detection frequencies exceeded 84% in potato-based products other than fries, vegetable crisps, black olives, cocoa powders, coffee substitutes and cereals and snacks. Large variations in acrylamide levels were found in cereals and snacks, with no correlation between cereal type or processing. Snacks containing chia did not show higher acrylamide levels than other cereal-based snacks. Maximum levels found were 4389 and 3063 µg kg−1 in coffee substitutes and vegetable crisps, respectively. Potato-based products contained 2 to 27 times less acrylamide when prepared in oven, compared to deep fryer processing. Artificially oxidised “Californian-style” black olives contained five times more acrylamide than “Greek-style” olives. In bread, pastries, nuts, oilseeds, dried fruits and confectionaries, detection frequencies varied from 27 to 69% and the average acrylamide content was <30 µg kg−1.

ABSTRACT Nitroimidazoles are well-known antibacterial and antiprotozoal agents, effective against various infections. However, they may also exhibit genotoxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. This study aimed to develop an analytical method to quantify nitroimidazole residues and their metabolites in honey using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS) and validate it according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/808. The method demonstrated limits of detection (LODs) ranging from 0.01 to 0.17 µg L−1 and limits of quantification (LOQs) from 0.020 to 0.29 µg L−1. Recovery rates ranged from 79.8% to 104%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 4.2% and 19.6%. Analysis of 96 honey samples revealed nitroimidazole residues in 18.8% of them. These findings could enhance more effectively the Egyptian monitoring programs for these compounds in honey as to improve food safety.

ABSTRACT Dietary supplements are widely consumed. However, the lack of mandatory testing results in limited data on their quality, particularly in Eastern Europe. In this study, 21 legally registered and 9 illegal supplements, seized from an underground facility by the Polish Police, were examined. Contaminants were screened by utilising high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with untargeted mass spectrometry. The analysis identified 32 contaminants in the 30 dietary supplements examined. Untargeted analysis revealed a concerning issue: the intentional adulteration of both legal and illegal supplements with pharmacologically active substances that are prohibited in this category of products. This study indicated that many dietary supplements are of low quality due to deliberate adulteration or inadequate manufacturing conditions. The presence of unregistered or unapproved substances in these supplements poses serious health risks. Strong legal regulations are essential to address this issue effectively.

ABSTRACT Organochlorine, organophosphate, triazole, and strobilurin pesticides were determined in fish samples. Relative standard deviations lower than 9.3% were obtained for organochlorine pesticides and 10.8% for other pesticides. Accuracy ranged from 73% to 119% for organochlorine pesticides and 80.4% to 116% for organophosphate, triazole, and strobilurin pesticides. A total of 28 pesticides were analysed and 7 of them were detected (exceeding 10 µg/kg) in some samples, with the highest concentration recorded at 68.5 µg/kg, corresponding to heptachlor epoxide A. The pesticide most frequently detected was β HCH, found in 30 of the 100 analysed samples. Hazard Quotient values were estimated for men, women, and children. These values exceeded 1 for heptachlor epoxide in women and children, as well as for endrin in children. These findings emphasise the need for stricter controls to reduce fish contamination and mitigate health risks.