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Human exposure to nonessential trace elements occurs from food crops that are contaminated by the soil. The present study aimed to determine the level of heavy metals in soil and rice samples using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer from three major industrial areas in Bangladesh: Savar, Gazipur, and Ashulia. Heavy metals were detected in the order Fe > Zn > Ni > Cr > Pb > Co > Cu > Cd > As and Zn > Cu > Cr > Co > Fe > Cd > Pb > Ni > As in the soil and rice samples, respectively. From this analysis, it was observed that the detected concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cr, and Co were higher than the WHO/FAO recommended maximum tolerance values. The transfer factor of the detected heavy metals from soil to rice was detected in the following order: Zn > Cu > Cr > Co > Cd > Pb > Fe > As > Ni. The accumulation of heavy metals in rice is a major public health concern. Therefore, we recommend strict regulations for the safety of food crops grown in the study areas.

Five different brands of locally produced biscuits and five brands of foreign biscuits were collected from the market. All these biscuits were stored at ambient condition (30 ºC, and 60 % RH) for 3 months. The changes in water activity, moisture and their consequences on sensory qualities like texture, color, flavor and overall acceptance were investigated in every month. Test of packaging materials were also carried out for each brand of packed biscuits. Moisture and water activity values have been increased with time for all the samples whereas sensory scores decreased. However, all the foreign and local biscuit samples were found acceptable under the study period but only one local biscuit was found unsalable.

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