Human exposure to lead,cadmium and mercury through fish and seafood product consumption in Italy: a pilot evaluation

The presence of selected toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), was investigated in fish and seafood products, namely, blue mussel, carpet shell clam, European squid, veined squid, deep-water rose shrimp, red mullet, European seabass, gilthead seabream, Atlantic cod, European hake, Atlantic bluefin tuna and swordfish so as to assess their human exposure through diet. Metals were detected by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS) and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (Hg-AAS). Measurements of Cd, Pb and Hg were performed by means of analytical methods validated in compliance with UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025 [2005. General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Milano (Italy): UNI Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione]. The exposure assessment was undertaken matching the levels of Cd, Pb and total Hg with consumption data related to fish and seafood products selected for this purpose. In order to establish human health implications, the estimated weekly intakes (EWIs) for Cd, Pb and Hg were compared with the standard tolerable weekly intakes (TWI) for Cd and provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs) for Pb and Hg stipulated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The found metal concentrations were largely below the maximum levels (MLs) established at the European Union level with the exception of Cd. This metal exceeded the MLs in squid, red mullet, European hake and Atlantic cod. Squid and blue mussel showed the highest Pb concentrations which accounted for 60% and 10% of the MLs, respectively. Highest Hg levels were found in predatory fish. The concentrations of Hg in swordfish, Atlantic bluefin tuna and red mullet accounted for 50%, 30% and 30% of the MLs, respectively. The EWIs for Cd, Pb and Hg related to the consumption of fish and seafood products by the median of the Italian total population accounted for 20%, 1.5% and 10% of the standard TWI for Cd as well as PTWIs for Pb and Hg, respectively. Furthermore, the EWIs estimated using consumption data concerning Italian consumers did not exceed the standard TWI and PTWIs, except for Cd at 95th percentile.     

Review: Assessing and managing risk due to consumption of seafood contaminated with micro-organisms, parasites, and natural toxins in the US

While most seafoods consumed in the US are wholesome, a variety of infectious agents and toxins have been implicated in disease aetiology. The major risk of acute illness is associated with consumption of raw molluscan shellfish. Most reported seafood-associated illness (55%) have unknown aetiologies; they are believed to be due mainly to Norwalk, Norwalk-like, or human enteric virus infection, with a smaller proportion caused by Vibrio bacteria. Parasites are less common than microbiological infections, with anisakids and cestodes having the greatest risks. People consuming tropically-caught fish have a risk of acquiring ciguatera poisoning. Other common natural intoxications (mainly scombroid and to a lesser extent paralytic poisonings) occur due to consumption of finfish and shellfish, respectively.
Reduction of risks from the consumption of raw molluscs and other fishery products can be achieved by the following means: research to develop valid human enteric virus indicators, implementing and maintaining proper treatment and disposal of sewage, efforts aimed at identifying and limiting the number of pathogenic Vibrio species in shellfish, developing new diagnostic methods and improved processing technologies, applying risk-based control measures for potential microbial pathogens in raw shellfish, cooking of seafoods, and proper application of a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system to processing and preparation operations of fishery products.     

Consumers wine preferences according to purchase occasion: Personal consumption and gift-giving

We tested the hypothesis that individuals may act differently when buying a bottle of wine for themselves than they do when buying wine as a gift. Using a between-subject design, we estimated the differences in consumer preference for these two occasions. We conducted a choice experiment on 618 Italian wine consumers and included the attributes of price, geographical indication (i.e. IGT, DOC, or DOCG), organic claim, and brand (i.e. famous producer or a non-famous producer). By applying an error component random parameters logit model, we detected relevant differences between the two scenarios in terms of the relative importance of the studied attributes. The gift-giving scenario was further investigated using a latent class model, which identified three segments of consumers; we profiled these according to personal attitudes and wine knowledge. Our results show a relevant heterogeneity among consumers’ preferences for the gift-giving scenario, with geographical indication having a low impact and brand and organic claim playing a pivotal role. This study provides relevant insights for winemakers and retailers regarding diversifying marketing strategies.     

Reducing meat consumption in meat-loving Denmark: Exploring willingness,behavior, barriers and drivers

Lower meat consumption benefits public health and the environment. This study examined public willingness to reduce meat consumption in Denmark, and the drivers and barriers involved. An online survey (n = 1005), representative of the Danish population, carried out in 2019 measured meat dietary habits and willingness to reduce meat intake using the Stages of Change model, and barriers to, and drivers of, reduction. Approximately 3.5% of those surveyed did not eat meat (vegetarians/vegans), 57% had no intention to reduce their meat intake (with 5% planning to increase it). About 11.5% intended to reduce, and 27.5% had already reduced their meat intake (a slightly higher share than previously observed). Importantly, those stating that they had already reduced also ate significantly fewer meals with meat than those with no intention or an intention only. Drivers of meat reduction included awareness of the climate impact of meat and social networks containing meat reducers and avoiders. Barriers included food neophobia, identity incongruence, habitual behavior and practical difficulties. Strategies should focus on meat reduction, not exclusion, as completely removing meat from the diet was unpopular. As barriers and drivers differed with stage, we call for specialized campaigns. Consumers not intending to reduce meat intake could potentially be persuaded by climate awareness campaigns, and by promotion of small adaptations to familiar meals. Consumers intending to reduce meat intake may be prompted to do so by health awareness campaigns, changes to the choice architecture and increased availability of meatless meals.     

Fruit and vegetable consumption: benefits and barriers.

Few people on Prince Edward Island meet the goal of consuming five or more servings of vegetables and fruit a day. The main objective of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of the nutritional benefits and barriers to vegetable and fruit intake among adult women in Prince Edward Island. Participants were 40 women aged 20-49, with or without children at home, who were or were not currently meeting the objective of eating five or more fruit and vegetable servings a day. In-home, one-on-one interviews were used for data collection. Thematic analysis was conducted on the transcribed interviews. Data were examined for trustworthiness in the context of credibility, transferability, and dependability. Most participants identified one or more benefits of eating fruit and vegetables; however, comments tended to be non-specific. The main barriers that participants identified were effort, lack of knowledge, sociopsychological and socioenvironmental factors, and availability. Internal influences, life events, and food rules were identified as encouraging women to include vegetables and fruit in their diets. Given the challenges of effecting meaningful dietary change, dietitians must look for broader dietary behavioural interventions that are sensitive to women's perceptions of benefits and barriers to fruit and vegetable intake.     

Fruit production and consumption: practices,preferences and attitudes of women in rural western Kenya

This study identified practices, preferences, attitudes and decision-making for fruit consumption, fruit production, and use of income generated from these activities and assessed the contribution of fruits to closing nutritional gaps of members of smallholder farming households in Western Kenya during two different seasons. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted, one in July/August 2013 (S1) and the other in February/March 2014 (S2). The same respondents, women responsible for food preparation in the household, were interviewed during S1 and S2 with a total of 272 women participating. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data on practices, preferences and attitudes related to fruit production and consumption including a quantitative 24-h recall. On the day prior to the interview, only 25% of women during S1 and 37% during S2 had consumed fruits. Fruit consumption in grams per day differed significantly (p < 0.001) between the two seasons and was higher in S2 (mean = 106 g/d; SD = 208 g/d) compared to S1 (mean = 49 g/d; SD = 101 g/d). During both seasons, 80% or more respondents did not reach the recommended amount of 200 g of fruits per day and also had low vitamin A and C intakes, especially during S1. Simultaneously, 80% of women indicated that the household grew fruit, yet fruit production and consumption diversity were low. About 20% of respondents identified fruit consumption taboos for different household members and 37% viewed the consumption of wild fruits negatively. Integrated agriculture-nutrition programs should consider local practices, preferences and cultural attitudes in order to promote the consumption of a diversity of nutrient rich fruits and consequently better diets and nutrition.     

Linking intrinsic quality attributes of agricultural produce to revealed consumer preferences

The quality of agricultural produce, such as fruit and vegetables, is defined by grading criteria based on the assessment of primary product attributes determined at harvest. These quality measures, which characterize important end-product intrinsic attributes such as flavor and texture, are used by processors and retailers to differentiate retail products; hence they determine farm-gate and retail prices for each crop variety. Despite their importance, limited published research has systematically linked these attributes at harvest to consumer preference at retail level.In this article, we adopt a demand system, the Almost Ideal Demand Systems, to assess the effects of the intrinsic quality attributes on consumers’ purchase choices across six different quality grades that relate to 41 vegetable products sold by a leading United Kingdom (UK) retailer over a two year period. Findings suggest that consumers are both able to differentiate products based on the attributes determined at harvest and willing to pay a premium for these attributes. These findings are relevant to both industry and public health practitioners intending to maintain or expand demand for vegetables in the UK.     

Understanding the relationship between age and seafood consumption: the mediating role of attitude,health involvement and convenience

This study discusses and analyses the relationship between the consumer's chronological age and frequent consumption of seafood, and how this relationship is mediated by three psychological variables: Attitudes/preferences towards eating seafood, involvement in healthy eating and perceived time used to prepare meals (convenience). This is done by cross-sectional data and with the assumption that people's life course is important in modelling food consumption behaviour. By using structural equation modelling, we were able to estimate the strength and direction of direct and indirect relationships between external, internal and behavioural variables as proposed in general attitude theory. Age is positively related to the frequency of seafood consumption. This relationship is mediated by attitudes toward eating seafood, health involvement and perceived convenience. In developing and testing conceptual models which integrate the relationship between age and psychological mediator variables, we may approach a deeper understanding of the more complex relationship between external and internal psychological variables in people's selection of food over their life course.     

Assessment of daily intake of toxic elements due to consumption of vegetables, fruits, meat, and seafood by inhabitants of Xiamen, China

This study was designed to estimate the dietary intake of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) (total and methyl), and arsenic (As) by inhabitants of Xiamen, China. The concentrations of these toxic elements (TEs) were determined in vegetables, fruits, meat, and seafood samples randomly acquired in 5 districts of Xiamen between 2005 and 2009. Health risks were evaluated for inhabitants of Xiamen due to dietary consumption. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values for individual elements were far below 1, indicating minimal noncarcinogenic risks from TEs for inhabitants of Xiamen under the current food consumption rate. However, consumption of the entire foodstuffs could lead to potential health risks since the 95th percentile HI was higher than 1. The relative contributions of Cd, Pb, Hg T, and As to the HI were 16.0%, 15.9%, 5.9%, and 62.2% for the mean exposure level, and 13.3%, 13.4%, 5.6%, and 67.9% for the 95th percentile estimate. The THQ value of methyl mercury through consumption of cephalopod was less than 1. Tomato, cephalopod, eggplant, cabbage, orange, and pork were the main sources of total dietary intakes of TEs. The estimation of carcinogenic risk shows that the carcinogenic rate of arsenic exceeded the accepted risk level of 10(-4) . Therefore, the carcinogenic risk of arsenic for inhabitants of Xiamen is of concern. Practical Application: Tomato, cephalopod, eggplant, cabbage, orange, and pork were the main sources of dietary intakes of TEs in Xiamen, China. The carcinogenic risk of arsenic for inhabitants in this area who consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables daily may be of concern. Consumers are encouraged to eat fruits and vegetables with different origins and eat less cephalopod to reduce the possibilities of continuously eating commodities from the contaminated areas.     

Incidence of Listeria species in seafood and seafood salads

A total of 128 samples of seafood on the Icelandic market were tested for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species. The samples included raw, smoked and dried fish, frozen shellfish and shrimps as well as several fish salads. These products are generally consumed without heating. Listeria spp. were present in 56% of the samples of raw fish, 29% of the smoked fish, 9% of the shrimps and 32% of the salads. No Listeria spp. were present in the shellfish or dried fish. In 46% of the positive samples L. monocytogenes could be demonstrated, either alone or together with L. innocua. The other positive samples contained L. innocua and, in one sample, L. welshimeri. All products sampled had been processed and packed in Iceland, mostly for use on the domestic market. It is suggested that consuming certain fish products and fish salads may form an additional risk factor for listeriosis in humans.     

Quantifying effects of convenience and product packaging on consumer preferences and market share of seafood products: The case of oysters

This study analysed the relative importance of product packaging format and preparation convenience for oysters on consumer choice and market share. Consumer preferences for opened versus unopened oyster preparation formats and the provision of easy-to-prepare accompaniments with or without visual serving suggestions were assessed in a choice experiment. The impact of product packaging and preparation convenience on consumer choice was analysed relative to the traditional demand factors of price, region of origin, oyster species, health, environmental and quality claims. A total of 1718 Australian oyster consumers participated in an online choice experiment with visual product stimuli to simulate their choice of ready-packaged oysters in a retail store. Considering preference heterogeneity respondents’ choices were analysed with a scale adjusted latent class model and six different consumer segments were identified. Market share simulations illustrate the impact of oyster product variations on consumer choice. Overall, price, preparation format and species were the most important choice drivers, followed by region of origin and accompaniments, while packaging format and claims only had a minor influence on consumer choice. Consumer differences in price sensitivity and preferences for species and different oyster accompaniments provide scope for consumer oriented product differentiation with the potential to increase oyster demand and healthy seafood consumption.     

Recent developments in non-thermal processing for seafood and seafood products: cold plasma,pulsed electric field and high hydrostatic pressure

Seafood and seafood products (SSPs) are highly perishable foods due to their chemical composition (high moisture content and nutrients). They are regarded as highly sensitive to different processing technologies. SSPs are subjected to various processing conditions with intent to extend their shelf life, quality and minimal nutritional degradation. Recently developed non-thermal technologies (NTTs) have proved their efficacy in inactivation of microorganisms and enzymatic activities, enhancing the shelf life while maintaining the nutritional quality. Considering the significant impacts of NTTs on shelf life extension and maintaining quality parameters, it has attracted considerable interest by scientific communities and commercial applications in some cases. Thus, this article focuses on recent developments in the application of NTTs namely, cold plasma, pulsed electric field and high hydrostatic pressure as well as advantages and limitations of NTTs. In addition, their impacts on microbiological, physicochemical, quality and safety of SSPs are elucidated.     

Influence of purchase place and consumption frequency over quality wine preferences

In this study, conjoint analysis is used to determine the relative importance of a set of attributes which influence purchase decision of quality wine: Designation of Origin (D.O.), type of wine, price and occasion. We have considered two different purchase places (restaurants and retailers) and three segments that differ in consumption frequencies (habitual, occasional and sporadic). Significant differences have been found in preference structures between purchase places and among segments. On the one hand, consumers are specially price conscious in restaurants where formal occasions are more valued. On the other hand, the higher consumption frequency is, the lower D.O. and relative price importance is. The type of wine, therefore, acquires greater importance.     

Packed coffee drink consumption and product attribute preferences of young adults in Taiwan

The objective of this study was to examine consumption patterns and attribute preferences of packed coffee drinks among young adults in Taiwan. Approximately 300 students from six universities in three metropolitan areas in Taiwan were surveyed. Based on the results, 76% of respondents between 19 and 22 years consumed packed coffee drinks at least once a week. The usual time to drink coffee was between 2 and 4 pm in the afternoon and 8 and 12 pm in the evening. Convenient stores were the preferred location to purchase packed coffee drinks. The vast majority of respondents experienced coffee before entering college. Factor analysis results indicated that the dimensions of underlying factors that young adults considered when purchasing packed coffee drinks included variety, brand/promotion, and price/volume.     

Type of milk typically consumed,and stated preference,but not health consciousness affect revealed preferences for fat in milk

Fat is an important source of both pleasure and calories in the diet. Dairy products are a major source of fat in the diet, and understanding preferences for fat in fluid milk can potentially inform efforts to change fat consumption patterns or optimize consumer products. Here, patterns of preference for fat in milk were determined in the laboratory among 104 free living adults using rejection thresholds. Participants also answered questions relating to their health concerns, the type of fluid milk typically consumed, and their declared preference for type of milk (in terms of fat level). When revealed preferences in blind tasting were stratified by these measures, we observed striking differences in the preferred level of fat in milk. These data indicate a non-trivial number of consumers who prefer low-fat milk to full fat milk, a pattern that would have been overshadowed by the use of a group mean. While it is widely assumed and claimed that increasing fat content in fluid milk universally increases palatability, present data demonstrate this is not true for a segment of the population. These results underscore the need to look beyond group means to understand individual differences in food preferences.     

Listeria species in seafood: isolation and characterization of Listeria spp. from seafood in San Luis, Argentina

One hundred seafood samples (fish, squid and mussel) were collected from the Argentine Atlantic coast and screened for Listeria spp. The isolates were characterized by biochemical tests, serotyping, phage typing and macrorestriction enzymes analysis of DNA (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis). The overall frecuency (n=100) ofListeria spp. was 12%. Of the 12 isolated strains, three strains isolated from different squid samples were identified as L. monocytogenes and nine strains from fish, mussels and squid as L. innocua. All three L. monocytogenes strains belonged to serovar 4b; eight strains of L. innocua were serovar 6a and one strain of L. innocua was serovar 6b. All three L. monocytogenes strains, but only one of the nine L. innocua strains, were phage-typeable. One restriction profile was detected with Apa I and Asc I for L. monocytogenes strains and three with the same enzymes for L. innocua strains. The combination of these patterns allowed definition of four distinct groups within the 12 strains. The results of this study showed that phenotypic methods remain appropriate but that pulsed-field gel electrophoresis is useful for epidemiological purposes.     

Determinants of fishery and aquaculture products consumption at home in the EU28

The European Union (EU) is the world’s largest market for fishery and aquaculture products (FAPs) in nominal terms. Given the importance of these products, EU authorities and policy-makers are continuously monitoring consumer preferences and attitudes, analysing whether or not the implementation of EU policies and regulations improves the market conditions. For example, the Eurobarometer (European Union, 2018a) surveyed 27,732 EU residents including a specific module to analyse the fishery and aquaculture EU market. In this study, the dataset is used to estimate Ordered Probit models using effects coding and their marginal effects to identify the main determinants of the frequency of FAPs at-home consumption. Results indicate that the highest probability to consume more frequently FAPs is related to considering that one of the main reasons for buying or eating fishery and aquaculture products is because they are healthy, while the highest probability to consume less frequently FAPs is related to consumers who do not understand at all the information accompanying the products. Similarly, other important reasons for consuming FAPs more frequently are their good taste and low relative price. Also, results indicate a higher frequency of consumption of FAPs for those consumers who are over 55 years of age, are wealthy, have a wild product preference, live in a household of 3 persons or more and are very satisfied with their lives. To our best knowledge, there is not a similar approach in the current literature that considers such an extensive sample which is representative of all the countries that conform the EU28. Results provide valuable information especially for producers and authorities in terms of marketing and policy analysis.     

Determinants of specific food consumption in the Canary Islands (Spain)

The consumption of specific functional foods (FF) and some determinants of FF item selection were assessed using a questionnaire administered to 1112 individuals in the Canary Islands (Spain). Food items considered were Milk products: easily digestible milk (or milk low in lactose), milk enriched with vitamins and/or minerals, skimmed milk with soluble fiber, milk with royal jelly, milk with modified fatty acids (omega 3), milk products low in fat, pro-biotic foods (yoghurt and fermented milk) and yoghurt with phytosterols; Cereals: fortified breakfast cereals, wholemeal cereals and energy bars; Drinks: juices and enriched drinks, stimulating drinks and isotonic drinks; DHA-enriched, low cholesterol eggs; Meat products: low salt sausages and cooked low fat ham; Fats: enriched margarine, margarine rich in phytosterols and sunflower oil rich in oleic acid; Condiments: iodated salt. These food items were organized into 7 FF groups (milk products, cereals, fortified drinks, DHA eggs, meat product, fats, condiments). The results indicated that the highest prevalence was fortified drinks (63.6%; 95% CI: 60.7-66.5). Overall FF consumption prevalence was 80.1% (95% CI: 77-83): single FF item consumption being rare. There were significant inter-group relationships, and some group intakes (milk products, cereals and drinks) were related to age but with no overall relationship between consumption and age. The education level was significantly related to the consumption of cereals, drinks, meat products and condiments (χ2 test p = 0.04). Some specific FF item consumption segregated with environment (rural or urban) but with no overall significant relationship between the FF group and environment or gender.     

源自生活形态的女装市场细分及其消费特征

针对女装市场从生活形态视角进行市场细分研究,以期为企业进行精准营销提供参考。以杭州女装消费群为研究对象进行问卷调查,通过因子、聚类分析,划分出享受奋斗型、居家时尚型、理性自信型和随意现实型4个消费者细分市场。然后通过对人口统计因素和消费行为因素进行卡方检验,研究不同消费群类在年龄、职业、消费行为、购买意愿上存在显著差异。最后对各消费群类与人口因素及消费行为间的联系进行了对应分析,从而勾勒出杭州女装市场各消费群类的典型特征。