Health risk assessment of instant noodles commonly consumed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

The current study investigated the levels of some heavy metals [lead (Pb), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), and chromium (Cr)] and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in six brands of instant noodles (CFN, GFC, NGP, GAA, CUN, and FCS) commonly consumed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Risks of consumption of contaminated noodles were also assessed. Heavy metal content and PAHs were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and gas chromatography, respectively. Concentrations of heavy metals as Pb, Ni, Cu, Al, and Cr were detected while As, Hg, and Cd were not detected in noodles. High average concentrations (mean ± SD mg/kg) of Pb were observed in brands CFN (3.163 ± 0.21) and GFC (1.022 ± 0.08) which were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than in NGP (0.043 ± 0.15) and GAA (0.276 ± 0.18), although all were above WHO permissible limits (0.025 mg/kg). Target Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index for Pb were > 1 in brands CFN and GFC indicating unacceptable risk. Results of PAHs showed brands had total PAHs (mg/kg) in the order CFN > CUN > GAA > NGP > FCS > GFC. Although carcinogenic risks associated with these noodles are within permissible range, consumption of CFN and GFC could pose greater health risk to consumers. Long-term consumption of brands CUN, CFN, and GAA may have higher probability of carcinogenesis among consumers. We therefore recommend more diligent regulatory policies and monitoring by relevant government agencies (WHO, NAFDAC, CPC, and SON) to ensure wholesome noodles get to consumers.

Simultaneous Determination of 18 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Daily Foods (Hanoi Metropolitan Area) by Gas Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

“…They are classified as probable human carcinogens. However, the result was inconsistent with the findings of Charles and co-workers [27].…”

“…In addition, technical processes (i.e., withering followed by drying) can increase the concentrations of PAHs in tea leaves by more than 200 times [22,26]. Moreover, PAHs have been detected in instant noodles [27]. The production of PAHs in industries was reportedly favoured by an oxygen-deficient flame, temperatures in the range of 650–900 °C, and highly un-oxidized fuels [28].…”

Analysis of lead, arsenic, and cadmium concentrations in instant noodles within the Canadian market

“…A recent study analyzing heavy metal contamination in instant noodles revealed exceeding concentrations of Pb in products sold in Nigeria, but showed acceptable levels of As, Hg, and Cd (Charles, Ogbolosingha, & Afia, 2017). Another such study, comparing the heavy metal contamination of instant noodles made in Iran to those that were imported into the country, revealed significantly high concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Al in Iranian samples (Tajdar-Oranj et al, 2018;Onyema et al, 2014).…”

“…However, with the industry's growing demand, there is also increasing awareness about the long-term health effects of such processed foods. Several recent studies conducted in Iran, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and China have found significantly high concentrations of heavy metals in many of the commercially available instant noodle products (Tajdar-Oranj et al, 2018;Charles, Ogbolosingha & Afia, 2017;Jothi & Uddin, 2014;Onyema et al, 2014).…”

Determination of the concentration of metals in noodles from a major market in Nigeria: A health risk assessment

“…Air, land and water pollution are contributing to https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijs.v22i2.14 the presence of these harmful elements in food stuff including instant noodles (Onyema et al, 2014(Onyema et al, , 2016. Food processing equipment, containers, additives and packaging materials are some of the possible channels through which noodles can be contaminated with heavy metals (Jothi and Uddin, 2014, Omuku et al, 2014, Charles et al, 2018. Soil irrigation with contaminated water, fertilizer and pesticides application, industrial emissions, storage container, and road traffic with leaded petrol are some of the possible sources of heavy metals in wheat which serves as the main raw material for noodles production (Gholam and Jahead, 2005;Ihedioha, et al, 2018).…”