Heavy metal content and molecular species identification in canned tuna: Insights into human food safety.
Canned tuna in olive oil and in brine of the most popular brands sold in Italian markets were analyzed to verify the authentication of transformed products, with the aim to unveil commercial frauds due to the substitutions of high value species with species of low commercial value, and to assess the health risk of consumers related to cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) contents. Species authentication was evaluated with amplification of COI DNA barcode and confirmed the declared species. Among tested metals, Hg had the highest concentrations, followed by Cd and Pb. None of the tested samples surpassed the European regulatory limits no. 1881/2006 fixed for Hg and Pb, whereas one batch of canned tuna in olive oil exceeded standard for Cd. Risk for human health was evaluated by the metals daily intake and target hazard quotient (THQ). As a result, Cd and Pb did not exceed the toxicological reference values established by World Health Organization (WHO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Conversely, Hg content suggests a consumption no more than once a week and a continuous surveillance of this fishery products for consumer protection.
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, I-95124 Catania, Italy.
Anna Maria
AM
Pappalardo
Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies 'G.F. Ingrassia', Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
Chiara
C
Copat
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, I-95124 Catania, Italy.
Venera
V
Ferrito
Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies 'G.F. Ingrassia', Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
Alfina
A
Grasso
Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies 'G.F. Ingrassia', Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
Margherita
M
Ferrante
D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D005504:Food Analysis; D005519:Food Preservation; D059022:Food Safety; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D000069463:Olive Oil / Q000737:chemistry; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis*; D014413:Tuna
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D000069463:Olive Oil; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury