Toxic materials food contamination

Pre-twentieth century society had few restrictions as to the types, purity or amounts of substances which could be dispensed for the ills of its citizens. There were isolated laws devised by individual municipalities to protect their populations from food contaminants and extremely toxic materials. But legislation on a national scale was instigated mainly during this century. During the late nineteenth century herbal remedies. 

We are working with the Food Quality Control Department of the Ministry of Health to study the contamination of OCPs and PCBs in local fish and chickens. This project is in line with our current effort to assess the health risk arising from consumption of food contaminated with POP chemicals. The health risk assessment of POPs through dietary intakes project involved analyses of OCPs and PCBs in various foodstuff, initially raw materials which will be extended to cooked food. Unfortunately, we do not currently have the capability to analyze PCDD/PCDF in our laboratory but there are two high resolution mass spectrometers in the country that are capable of analyzing PCDD/PCDF. National and international collaborations will definitely improve the country capacity to monitor POPs not only those listed in the Stockholm Convention but other toxic chemicals found in the environment. 

The majority of toxicants in foods are contaminants, (e.g., microbial toxins, pesticide residues, leachable chemicals from packaging materials, food coatings, traces of heavy metals). However, the major issue in food safety is the contamination of food by mycotoxins in items such as milk and milk products, meat and meat products, and peanuts (groundnuts). Aflatoxin is highly toxic and lethal, and its carcinogenic potential is well established, even at doses as low as 0.05. ig. Mycotoxins also infect food products like rice, pulses, tapioca, and betelnuts. (Table 10-2). 

Contamination of food, drink, and smoking materials is a potential route for exposure to toxic substances. Food should never be stored, handled, or consumed in any laboratory area. 

The primary function of the kidneys is to rid the body of waste materials that are either ingested or produced by metabolism, and to control the volume and composition of the body fluids. The toxins absorbed by the different routes are biotransformed and enter the blood. They are then eliminated through the urine, feces, and air. Since the kidneys receive approximately a quarter of the cardiac output, it is an important organ for the exposure of toxicants and their metabolites. Recent incidents of pet food toxicity and diethylene glycol toxicity indicate that contamination of animal and human food and drugs, respectively, can lead to severe mortahty and morbidity as a result of renal toxicity. 

There are a number of situations where selective sampling would be appropriate. In food analysis, for example, it may be necessary to locate a specific adulterated portion of a lot, undiluted by perfectly good material. Other examples might be rodent contamination of flour by hair or urine, or toxic gases in a factory atmosphere where the total level may be acceptable but a localized sample may contain a harmful concentration. 

BIOLOGICAL METHOD FOR THE WATER, FOOD, FODDERS AND ENVIRONMENT TOXIC CHEMICAL MATERIALS CONTAMINATION INDICATION... 

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