Levels and distribution of PBDEs and PFASs in pork from different European countries

ABSTRACT

Meat and meat products are included in a great number of human diets. However, the great consumption of meat needs to be controlled for the presence of traces of contaminants. The European Commission has not stated maximum limits for some environmental pollutants such as the perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE); the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Scientific Panel has recommended that more occurrence data for PFASs in food should be collected to improve the accuracy of future exposure calculations. Therefore, the distribution of PFASs and PBDEs trace contaminants from eight EU Member States were investigated through liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). No PFASs were detected, except perfluorooctanoic acid, in only one Austrian sample at the concentration of 0.531 ng g^?1. PBDEs were detected in 3 out of 77 samples: one from Germany showed the presence of all congeners analysed in the concentration range 0.53–0.77 ng g^?1, the others, from Netherland and Italy, respectively contained PBDE 153 (0.53 ng g^?1) and PBDE 100 (0.62 ng g^?1). The results show that the analysed samples do not pose a risk for human beings in regard to PFASs and PBDEs. Further studies are needed to keep monitoring their presence in foodstuff, as it has been suggested by European Commission.     

A preliminary comparison of polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations relative to lipid content and to levels of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are environmental contaminants structurally similar to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and correlations between PBDE concentrations and concentrations of lipid, PCBs, dioxins and furans in feed and farmed Atlantic salmon filet indicate PBDEs may be derived from similar sources. PBDE concentrations (3.9 ± 0.6 ng g^?1 wet wt) in farmed Atlantic salmon correlated well with lipid content and these other halogenated contaminants, however, lower concentrations of PBDEs (1.6 ± 0.3 ng g^?1 wet wt) showed no correlation. Possible explanations for the non‐linear behaviour of PBDE concentrations in Atlantic salmon are discussed.     

Simultaneous Determination of Multiclass Pesticides and Antibiotics in Honey Samples Based on Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A simple, fast, and efficient method was developed for simultaneous determination of 79 pesticides and 13 antibiotics compounds of different chemical classes of pesticides and antibiotics in honey samples by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The sample preparation procedure includes homogenization with McIlvaine buffer 0.1 mol L^?1 (pH 4), followed by extraction with acetonitrile and cleanup with florisil, using dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE). The proposed method was validated with good results, such as linearity (r ²?>?0.9901), normality, and independence of the evaluated data, as well as recoveries between 70 and 120 % with relative standard deviation (RSD) <20 % for most of the compounds spiked from 0.1 to 200 μg kg^?1. The experimental method limits of detection and quantification were from 0.03 to 1.51 μg kg^?1 and from 0.1 to 5 μg kg^?1, respectively, for the pesticides. For the antibiotics, the decision limits (0.1 to 2 μg g^?1) and the detection capacity (0.12 to 2.81 μg g^?1) were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established for honey by the Brazilian and European legislation. The method was successfully applied to real samples from different botanical and geographic origins. From them, 44 % presented residues from 0.12 to 10 μg kg^?1 of one or more analytes. The proposed method combines the advantages of a quick sample preparation step with the selectivity and sensitivity of the UHPLC-MS/MS and proved to be suitable for routine analyses.     

Extended liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry screening method for veterinary drug,pesticide and human pharmaceutical residues in aquaculture fish

ABSTRACT

A liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) screening method was developed previously to analyze for veterinary drug residues commonly found in different types of aquaculture products. This method has been further evaluated for its feasibility to detect several other classes of compounds that might also be a concern as possible contaminants in farmed tilapia, salmon, eel and shrimp. Some chemicals could contaminate water sources used in aquaculture production through agricultural run-off. These compounds include several widely used triazine herbicides, organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, as well as various discarded human pharmaceuticals. Other possible contaminants investigated were selected disinfectants, some newer antibiotics, growth promoters, and various parasiticides. The sample preparation consisted of an acidic acetonitrile extraction followed by solid-phase extraction clean-up. Data were collected with a quadrupole-Orbitrap MS using both non-targeted and targeted acquisition. This rapid clean-up procedure and HRMS detection method described previously for veterinary drug residues also worked well for many other types of compounds. Most analytes had screening limit levels between 0.5–10 ng/g in the matrices examined using exact mass identification criteria. The strategy described in this paper for testing the performance of additional analytes will help expand the applicability of the HRMS procedure as aquaculture samples can now be analyzed for a wider range of contaminants.     

Investigation into perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in a cranberry bog: method development and sampling results

ABSTRACT

The contamination of groundwater and surface water from previous uses of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), particularly products containing the contaminants perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), has become a concern for drinking water and as a potential exposure route to the food supply. In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was asked to investigate a bog in Massachusetts where the surface water was believed to be contaminated with PFASs. As a result, a method was developed for the analysis of PFASs in cranberries, and water and fruit from the affected bog were evaluated. A QuEChERS method was developed and validated for PFOA, PFOS, and six additional shorter-chain PFASs. Method recoveries ranged from 60% to 115% for validation spikes performed at 10, 20 and 40 ng g^?1 and method detection limits ranged from 0.2 to 5.6 ng g^?1. Bog water samples were analysed using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method 537 for PFOA, PFOS and four additional short-chain PFASs. Surface water concentrations for PFOS ranged from 16 to 122 ng L^?1 and input water concentrations were 132 ng L^?1 and 206 ng L^?1. Of the eight water samples, seven had water concentrations that exceeded the EPA health advisory level for PFOS of 70 ng L^?1. Of the 42 cranberry samples analysed, none had detects of PFOA or PFOS above their method detection limits (0.4 and 0.5 ng g^?1, respectively), nor any of the other short-chain PFASs.     

Occurrence and human health risks of twenty-eight common antibiotics in wild freshwater products from the Xiangjiang River and comparison with the farmed samples from local markets

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of 28 common antibiotics in wild and farmed aquatic products from different species was comprehensively investigated in the present study. The results showed that a larger number of antibiotics could be detected quantitatively in wild samples, while the farmed samples had higher concentrations. Twenty, 17, and 14 target compounds were found in the muscles of wild molluscs, wild fish and farmed fish with total concentrations of 2.02–16.4 ng g^–1, 0.51–11.9 ng g^–1, and <LOD – 144 ng g^–1, respectively. Quinolones could be frequently detected in all investigated samples with higher concentrations, while sulphonamides were only detected more frequently in wild molluscs. For wild samples, sulfamethoxazole, sulphamethazine, clarithromycin, and ciprofloxacin are the main antibiotics that were detected in molluscs and fish with different residues. However, there was almost no significant residue difference among different wild fish. Compared with other studies in China or overseas, antibiotic residues in the investigated fish were almost always at a relative low level. Monte Carlo simulation showed that the farmed fish posed higher health risks than the wild fish, while the proportion of the consumers with chronic toxic risk (HI) of farmed fish higher than 0.05 (a distinct risk) was only 1.15 %.     

Occurrence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in various food items of animal origin collected in four European countries

This study summarises the results of the levels of 21 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in 50 selected pooled samples representing 15 food commodities with the special focus on those of animal origin, as meat, seafood, fish, milk, dairy products and hen eggs, which are commonly consumed in various European markets, e.g. Czech, Italian, Belgian and Norwegian. A new, rapid sample preparation approach based on the QuEChERS extraction procedure was applied. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) employing electrospray ionisation (ESI) in negative mode was used for the quantification of target analytes. Method quantification limits (MQLs) were in the range of 1–10 ng kg^?1 (ng l^?1) for fish, meat, hen eggs, cheese and milk, and in the range of 2.5–125 ng kg^?1 for butter. Only 16 of the group of 21 PFASs were found in at least one analysed sample. From 16 PFASs, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the most frequently detected analyte present in approximately 50% of samples (in the range of 0.98–2600 ng kg^?1). PFCAs with C8–C14 carbon chain were presented in approximately 20% of samples. The concentration ranges of individual compounds in the respective groups of PFASs were: 2.33–76.3 ng kg^?1 for PFSAs (without PFOS), 4.99–961 ng kg^?1 for PFCAs, 10.6–95.4 ng kg^?1 for PFPAs, and 1.61–519 ng kg^?1 for FOSA. The contamination level in the analysed food commodities decreased in the following order: seafood > pig/bovine liver >> freshwater/marine fish > hen egg > meat >> butter. When comparing the total contamination and profiles of PFASs in food commodities that originated from various sampling countries, differences were identified, and the contents decreased as follows: Belgium >> Norway, Italy > Czech Republic.     

Dietary exposure to non-dioxin-like PCBs of the Hong Kong adult population from a total diet study

Dietary exposure of Hong Kong adults to the sum of the six indicator PCBs (Σ₆ PCBs; PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) was estimated in this study using the Total Diet Study (TDS) approach. Seventy one commonly-consumed food items of animal origin were sampled in four seasons and prepared as consumed in 2010–2011. The results showed that the main dietary source of Σ₆ PCBs to the adult population was ‘fish, seafood and their products’ which accounted for 84.3% of the total exposure. About 50% of the total exposure was contributed by four fish species: salmon (cooked salmon and salmon sashimi, 19.9%), mandarin fish (14.7%), pomfret fish (8.5%) and yellow croaker (7.5%). Salmon was found to contain the highest mean level of Σ₆ PCBs of 5.7 ng g^?1 fresh weight at upper bound estimation, ranging from 4.4 to 6.3 ng g^?1. The lower bound and upper bound exposure estimates of ?₆ PCBs to the average consumer of the population were found to be 0.68 and 1.38 ng kg^?1 body weight day^?1 respectively while for high consumers, the lower bound and upper bound exposure estimates were 3.08 and 3.84 ng kg^?1 body weight day^?1 respectively. In addition, the dietary exposures to individual indicator PCB congeners were also estimated.     

Analysis of perchlorate in baby food on Canadian (Ottawa) markets in 2009 and estimated dietary exposure

ABSTRACT

In order to determine the baseline levels of perchlorate in major brands of baby food, 200 baby food products were collected from retail stores in Ottawa, Canada and analysed for perchlorate in 2010. The seven food groups tested were fruit, juices, vegetables, meat, yogurt, mixed (vegetable mixed with meat) and other (e.g. vegetable mixed with meat and cereal, cheese, egg,). Samples were extracted with a mixture of methanol and 1% acetic acid (4:1, v/v). Determination was conducted by stable isotope dilution ion chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (ID-IC-MS/MS). The complexity of different food matrices required additional method validation. The perchlorate levels in 46 samples were found to be lower than the quantification limit (0.2 ng g^?1). The perchlorate levels in the other 154 baby food samples were also low; about 96.7% of the baby foods had perchlorate levels less than 10 ng g^?1 (ranged from 0.2 to 22.4 ng g^?1, median1.35 ng g^?1); only 5 samples had perchlorate levels higher than 10 ng g^?1. Dietary exposure to perchlorate from analysed baby food was conservatively estimated to range from 0.007 to 0.121 µg/kg bw/d based on the mean intake for children (1–5 years old).     

Erythromycin residue in honey from the Southern Marmara region of Turkey

Honey samples, collected from the Southern Marmara region of Turkey, were analysed for erythromycin residues by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode (LC–ESI–MS). Fifty samples, comprising chestnut, pine, linden and multi-flower honeys, were collected directly from hives and analyzed. The limit of detection and quantification were 6 and 20 ng g^?1, respectively, and recovery ranged from 85 to 89%. Four of the honey samples (8%) were found to be contaminated with erythromycin residues at concentrations ranging from 50 to 1776 ng g^?1. An erythromycin-fortified cake feeding assay was also performed in a defined hive to test the transfer of erythromycin residue to the honey matrix. In this test hive, the residue level in the honey, 3 months after dosing, was approximately 28 ng g^?1.     

Analysis of oxytetracycline residue in salmon muscle using a portable analyzer based on EuIII luminescence

In the United States, oxytetracycline (OTC) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in salmon, catfish and lobster; worldwide, it is the most prominent therapeutant in aquaculture. In this study, OTC and 4-epiOTC residues in salmon muscle were determined using a portable analyzer based on europium-sensitized luminescence (ESL). Extraction was performed first in EDTA/metaphosphoric acid/NaCl/hexane and then in metaphosphoric acid. After centrifugation, cleanup was carried out using hydrophilic–lipophilic balance cartridges. The ESL intensity, integrated over a 25–1000 µs interval, was linear (r ² = 0.9999) over three orders of magnitude. In comparison to xenon flashlamp, light-emitting diode (LED) excitation reduced background noise by sixfold to 6.4 ng g^?1. Without prior chromatographic separation, this ESL method/instrument combination achieved 10.9 ng g^?1 limit of detection and <2% average relative standard deviation. Average recovery was 82.0, 83.6 and 86.8% at 50, 100 and 2000 ng g^?1, respectively.     

Quantitative analysis of pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The applicability of liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) for the quantitative analysis of pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits was demonstrated. The LC-QTOF-MS parameters, such as cone voltage, capillary voltage, collision energy and mass extraction window, were carefully optimised for the analysis of pesticide residues. The LC-QTOF-MS method was validated for 149 pesticides in four vegetables and fruits, i.e. apple, potato, cabbage and spinach, at a spiking level of 0.01 mg kg^?1. The samples were prepared according to the Japanese official multi-residue method with a modification to the column clean-up procedure. Of the 149 pesticides, recoveries in the range of 70–120% were achieved for 147 pesticides in apple, 145 in potato, 141 in cabbage and 131 in spinach, with intra-day precisions (RSDs) of < 25% and inter-day precisions (RSDs) of < 30%, which are within the acceptable range given in the Japanese method validation guideline. Matrix effects were negligible for the majority of the target pesticides. Except for spiroxamine in spinach, no interfering peaks were observed in the blank samples. The target pesticides, except those with low sensitivity, achieved calibration curves with satisfactory linearity, with correlation coefficients (r) greater than 0.995 in the concentration range of 0.002–0.1 μg ml^?1. Furthermore, the majority of the target pesticides provided more than one fragment ion or isotope ion that could be used for confirmation. The overall results suggest that LC-QTOF-MS is a powerful tool for the quantification of pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits at the level of 0.01 mg kg^?1.     

Novel sequential separation and determination of a quaternary mixture of fungicides by using an automatic fluorimetric optosensor

A versatile flow-through multi-optosensor is proposed for the separation and spectrofluorimetric determination of mixtures of four widely used pesticides: carbendazim, thiabendazole, carbaryl and o-phenylphenol at µg g^?1 levels in fruits. The flow system is based on the online pre-concentration and separation of the pesticides on a solid sensing microzone, followed by the sequential measurement of their native fluorescence. The separation of the pesticides takes place on a solid support located in the same flow cell, on which analytes are temporarily immobilized and separated from the matrix due to their different retention/desorption kinetics when they interact with the C₁₈ silica gel microbeads. Suitable analytical parameters were obtained for the selected analytes, with method detection and quantification limits ranging between 0.1–0.5 and 0.2–1.6 µg g^?1, respectively. These values comply with the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the Codex Alimentarius for these commodities; in addition, carbendazim, thiabendazole and ortho-phenylphenol comply with the MRLs of The European Union. The developed method was applied to the analysis of citrus fruits by performing recovery studies. Recoveries between 85% and 115% were obtained in all cases, and the results were confirmed by a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry reference method.     

Lipid composition and contaminants in farmed and wild salmon

Levels of omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids and lipid-adjusted concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, toxaphene, and dieldrin were determined in 459 farmed Atlantic salmon, 135 wild Pacific salmon, and 144 supermarket farmed Atlantic salmon fillets purchased in 16 cities in North America and Europe. These were the same fish previously used for measurement of organohalogen contaminants. Farmed salmon had greater levels of total lipid (average 16.6%) than wild salmon (average 6.4%). The n-3 to n-6 ratio was about 10 in wild salmon and 3-4 in farmed salmon. The supermarket samples were similar to the farmed salmon from the same region. Lipid-adjusted contaminant levels were significantly higher in farmed Atlantic salmon than those in wild Pacific salmon (F = 7.27, P = 0.0089 for toxaphene; F = 15.39, P = 0.0002 for dioxin; F > or = 21.31, P < 0.0001 for dieldrin and PCBs, with df = (1.64) for all). Levels of total lipid were in the range of 30-40% in the fish oil/fish meal that is fed to farmed salmon. Salmon, especially farmed salmon, are a good source of healthy n-3 fatty acids, but they also contain high concentrations of organochlorine compounds such as PCBs, dioxins, and chlorinated pesticides. The presence of these contaminants may reduce the net health benefits derived from the consumption of farmed salmon, despite the presence of the high level of n-3 fatty acids in these fish.     

Assessment of average exposure to organochlorine pesticides in southern Togo from water,maize (Zea mays) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

Drinking water, cowpea and maize grains were sampled in some potentially exposed agro-ecological areas in Togo and analysed for their contamination by some common organochlorine pesticides. A total of 19 organochlorine pesticides were investigated in ten subsamples of maize, ten subsamples of cowpea and nine subsamples of drinking water. Analytical methods included solvent extraction of the pesticide residues and their subsequent quantification using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of pesticides were also determined. Pesticides residues in drinking water (0.04–0.40 µg l^?1) were higher than the maximum residue limit (MRL) (0.03 µg l^?1) set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor epoxide and endosulfan levels (13.16–98.79 µg kg^?1) in cowpea grains exceeded MRLs applied in France (10–50 µg kg^?1). Contaminants’ levels in maize grains (0.53–65.70 µg kg^?1) were below the MRLs (20–100 µg kg^?1) set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the WHO. EDIs of the tested pesticides ranged from 0.02% to 162.07% of the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). Population exposure levels of dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide were higher than the FAO/WHO standards. A comprehensive national monitoring programme on organochlorine pesticides should be undertaken to include such other relevant sources like meat, fish, eggs and milk.     

Rapid multiresidue determination of pesticides in livestock muscle and liver tissue via modified QuEChERS sample preparation and LC-MS/MS

ABSTRACT

Many multiresidue methods for the determination of pesticides in vegetables and fruits have been reported to date. However, few such methods have been employed to investigate pesticide residues in animal tissue. In this study, an LC-MS/MS multiresidue method coupled with modified QuEChERS extraction was developed and validated for the investigation of eight pesticide residues: prallethrin (PR), resmethrin (RMT), imidacloprid (IMC), diflubenzuron (DFB), cyromazine (CYR), etofenprox (EFP), dinotefuran (DNT) and phthalthrin (PTLT). This method involves initial extraction in a water/acetone system, the addition of salts and a subsequent extraction/partitioning step and, finally, a clean-up step utilising dispersive solid-phase extraction (SPE). The mean recoveries of seven of the pesticides (the exception being CYR) ranged between 74.7% and 113.5%, and the CVs of the livestock tissue – bovine, swine, and chicken muscle and liver tissue spiked at 10 ng g^–1 (50 ng g^–1 for RMT and DNT) and 100 ng g^–1 – were < 13.8%. The recoveries of CYR in all muscle and liver spiked samples ranged from 56.9% to 78.3%, while those of RMT in swine liver were > 120%. Therefore, this method was considered as being unsuitable for the investigation of these samples. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) of seven of the investigated pesticides (the exception being swine liver) in the tissue samples ranged from 0.9 to 15.2 ng g^–1. We therefore concluded that this LC-MS/MS multiresidue method is a valid and suitable for the investigation of seven pesticides in animal tissue, but it is unsuitable for the analysis of CYR in all animal tissues and RMT in swine liver tissue.     

Headspace Liquid-Phase Microextraction Followed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Determination of Furanic Compounds in Baby Foods and Method Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

In the present study, a sensitive, rapid, and simple method for determination of furanic compounds in baby foods has been developed. Headspace liquid-phase microextraction (HS-LPME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to extract and measure furan, 2-methylfuran, and 2,5-dimethylfuran in baby foods. Effective parameters such as salt amount (NaCl), stirring rate, temperature, and time of extraction were optimized using response surface methodology based on a central composite design to obtain the best conditions for extracting furanic compounds. The optimum parameter values were 1 g NaCl, 700 rpm stirring rate, 40 °C extraction temperature, and 15 min extraction time. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 0.2–200 ng?mL^?1 (R ² ?>?0.99) for all compounds, and the repeatability of the method, described as relative standard deviation, ranged between 3.84 and 7.06 % (n?=?6). The recovery of spiked baby food sample after extraction ranged between 89.33 and 103.64 %, and the best enrichment factor was achieved about 972-fold for furan. The limits of detection and quantitation ranged between 0.021 and 0.038 ng?g^?1 and 0.069 and 0.126 ng?g^?1, respectively. The merit figures of the HS-LPME/GC-MS method showed that it can be considered as a new, fast, and effective alternative method for investigating furanic compounds in baby foods.     

Determination of fluoroquinolones in aquaculture products by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of fluoroquinolones–ciprofloxacin (CIPRO), danofloxacin (DANO), enrofloxacin (ENRO) and sarafloxacin (SARA)–in aquaculture products, specifically salmon, shrimp and tilapia. After initial sample extraction with an acidic acetonitrile solution, the extract was diluted with dichloromethane and centrifuged, then an aliquot was concentrated and applied to a C18 solid-phase extraction cartridge and concentrated for a second time. The resultant residue was dissolved in acetonitrile, diluted with water, and then further defatted with hexane. The fluoroquinolone residues were determined by UPLC with an HSS T3 C18 reverse-phase column using an ammonium hydroxide-formic acid buffer in an acetonitrile gradient with MS/MS detection using multiple reaction monitoring. Average recoveries for salmon tissue ranged from 73% for DANO to 95% for SARA, for shrimp from 71% for DANO to 109% for SARA, and from 62% for DANO to 111% for SARA in tilapia, fortified at the 1.0 ng g^?1 level. Standard curves were linear between 0.002 and 0.5 ng injected for all compounds. Detection limits of 0.2 ng g^?1 for CIPRO, DANO, ENRO, and SARA were easily obtainable. The operational errors, interferences, and recoveries for fortified samples demonstrate that this described method is suitable for routine use in a regulatory programme. The recommended method is simple, rapid, specific and reliable for the routine monitoring of fluoroquinolone residues in aquatic species such as salmon, tilapia and shrimp.     

Furan in commercial baby foods from the Spanish market: estimation of daily intake and risk assessment

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of furan in commercial baby food samples from the Spanish market was evaluated using an automated headspace solid-phase microextraction method coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). A total of 76 baby food samples including infant formula, baby cereals, fruit in cans and/or jars, vegetables, meat, and fish, were surveyed for furan content. The lowest concentration of this compound was found in infant formula (<0.02–0.33 ng ml^?1), and cereal-based food (0.15–2.1 ng g^?1) while baby food containing fish showed the highest concentrations (19–84 ng g^?1). Following recommendation of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the effect on furan content was evaluated of consumer home preparation of foods, heating and handling. Furan concentrations were reduced by up to 35% when samples were heated in a dish using microwave oven and by up to 53% when a hot water bath was used. Finally, we estimated the furan intake from baby food consumption (0.002–1.18 µg kg^?1 body weight day^?1) and we calculated the margin of exposure (MOE) from samples as purchased and also after home preparation of the food. For infant formula and cereal baby foods, the MOEs (26,278–412,776) indicated no infant health concern or priority, while for meat and fish-based baby foods the values pointed to a potential public health risk, even considering the furan losses during preparation at home.     

PCBs, PCDD/Fs, and organochlorine pesticides in farmed Atlantic salmon from Maine, eastern Canada, and Norway, and wild salmon from Alaska

Farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from Maine and eastern Canada, wild Alaskan Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and organically farmed Norwegian salmon samples were analyzed for the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin-like PCBs, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzo-p-furans (PCDFs), and chlorinated pesticides. PCDD and PCDF congeners were not detected in > 80% of the samples analyzed. Total PCB concentrations (7.2-29.5 ng/g, wet weight, ww) in the farmed salmon were significantly higher than those in the wild Alaskan Chinook samples (3.9-8.1 ng/g, ww). Concentrations of PCBs, WHO PCB TEQs, and chlorinated pesticides varied significantly by region. PCB and WHO PCB TEQ concentrations in farmed salmon from eastern Canada were lower than those reported in samples collected two years earlier, possibly reflecting recent industry efforts to lower contaminant concentrations in feed. Organically farmed Norwegian salmon had the highest concentrations of PCBs (mean: 27 ng/g, ww) and WHO PCB TEQs (2.85 pg/g,ww); their TEQ values are in the higher range of those reported in farmed salmon from around the world. Removal of skin from salmon fillets resulted in highly variable reductions of lipids and contaminants, and in some skin-off samples, contaminant levels were higher, suggesting that skin removal does not protect the consumer from health risks associated with consumption of farmed salmon.