Risk Assessment of Lead and Cadmium in Some Food Supplements Available on the Romanian Market

Abstract

Across the world, there has been an increase in the consumption of food supplements. This may be due to the perception that these dietary supplements cannot negatively affect the health of consumers in any way. However, dietary supplements may not have the expected effect. In addition, it has been shown that supplements can sometimes be chemically, physically or microbiologically contaminated, if the hygiene conditions and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan are not fully complied with. The aim of this study was to determine the lead and cadmium content of 41 food supplements available on the Romanian market and to assess the risk to consumer health. The graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) technique was used for sample analysis after wet mineralization of the samples. The risk assessment was determined based on Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Carcinogenic Risk (CR) calculations. Values obtained for both lead and cadmium fall within the limits imposed by the legislation in force. Small risks associated with the consumption of these food supplements was shown, with a main recommendation being to decrease the recommended daily dose in the case of food supplements.

Black Sea Mussels Qualitative and Quantitative Chemical Analysis: Nutritional Benefits and Possible Risks through Consumption

“…Our results are in accordance with findings of other studies conducted in order to assess potential human risks associated with mussel consumption in the region of Black Sea [54][55][56]. It should be noted also that calculated hazard quotients for investigated heavy metals within the current research were higher than values found in other investigated food categories in Romania (honey, food supplements) [57,58].…”

Comparative Analysis of Vitamin, Mineral Content, and Antioxidant Capacity in Cereals and Legumes and Influence of Thermal Process

“…This can also be achieved by adding flour obtained from mixing wheat flour with flour from various plants that have a high mineral content. Current cereal breeding programs are mainly focused on higher yields and higher technological quality for industrial processing, neglecting health and nutritional aspects, including possible allergenic factors that may emanate from substances used to increase productivity and control pests [57][58][59][60].…”

A rapid magnetic-based purification of Cd2+ and Pb2+ prior to portable electrochemical determination for grain

“…Cadmium (Cd 2+ ) and lead (Pb 2+ ) are considered two of the most hazardous elements that can be easily accumulated in water, soil, food, and the human body ( Mustatea, Ungureanu, Iorga, Ciotea, & Popa, 2021 ). An excess level of Cd and Pb in food can cause several serious diseases to humans, including kidney damage, central nervous system disease, or even cancer ( Li and Zhang, 2021 , Moon et al, 2021 ).…”