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Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are emerging pollutants, while data on their occurrence in foods and human dietary intake are limited. Based on the 6th China total diet study conducted in 2016-2019, this study implemented a comprehensive survey of OPEs in plant-derived foods of cereals, potatoes, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and further assessed dietary exposure from both plant- and animal-derived food. The sum concentrations of 15 OPEs in the plant-derived samples ranged from 0.567 to 106 ng/g ww. 2-Ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) (median: 1.14 ng/g ww) had the highest level in plant-derived foods, with a proportion of 35.6% in the total median OPEs. Regional distribution analysis showed a higher contamination of OPEs in plant-derived food from northern area of China. Estimated dietary intakes (EDIs) of ∑OPEs for Chinese population were from 109 ng/kg bw/day in Beijing to 1164 ng/kg bw/day in Gansu province, with mean and median of 296 and 222 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. Although animal-derived foods had higher levels of OPEs, plant-derived foods, specifically cereals, was the major source of dietary OPE intake. The EDIs were much lower than reference doses, which suggested the intakes of OPEs via food consumption could not cause significant health risks to the Chinese population at present.

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This study investigated levels of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH8) compounds in both raw and processed marine products in South Korea. Katsuobushi exhibited the highest concentration of benzo[a]pyrene, at 14.22 µg/kg, exceeding the European Commission's regulation level of 5.0 µg/kg. The total PAH8 concentration in katsuobushi was 220.5 µg/kg. Among the product categories, shellfish had the highest detection rate (70%), followed by fish (19%) and crustacea (8%), with chrysene being the most prominent PAH8 congener in all marine products. Grilled fish predominantly contained pyrogenic PAHs from combustion byproducts, while shellfish primarily contained petrogenic ones from the aquatic environment. Grilling, smoking, and drying processes significantly contributed to the formation of PAH8 in these food products. Based on the results of a risk assessment using a margin of exposure approach through a total diet study, exposure to PAH8 from marine products is considered to pose low concern to the South Korean population. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01491-y.

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Dietary exposure to a food chemical (e.g. contaminant, nutrient, or other natural constituent) is a function of the concentration of the chemical in foods and the quantity of each food consumed. Exposures to food chemicals can be estimated using intake data from What We Eat in America (WWEIA), the food consumption survey portion of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). To estimate exposures to chemicals in foods consumed by NHANES/WWEIA respondents, the consumption data must be mapped to chemical concentration data on the same or similar foods. However, food chemical data are generally not available on all the foods and food mixtures that are reported in NHANES/WWEIA. To address this, we developed the FDA Food Disaggregation Database (FDA-FDD), a 'recipe' database with estimates of ingredient percentages. FDA-FDD allows mapping to food chemical data based on ingredients in NHANES/WWEIA foods rather than on food mixtures, resulting in more accurate exposure estimates. Using FDA-FDD, FDA mapped over 11,000 NHANES/WWEIA foods to FDA's Total Diet Study (TDS) foods. FDA-FDD is available as part of a publicly available interactive application that also allows access to the TDS mapping.

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This study addresses the development and validation of an analytical method for speciation analysis of mercury (inorganic/Hg2+ and methylmercury/CH3Hg+) in fishery products. The Hg species are separated by reversed-phase (RP) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The effective separation of Hg2+ and CH3Hg+ was achieved in <8 min using a peptide mapping RP column and a mobile phase containing 2-mercaptoethanol at 0.25% (v/v) and methanol at 1% (v/v). The optimization was carried out using an experimental design through response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD), addressing both the HPLC separation and the sample extraction. The method validation was carried out based on the accuracy profile approach. For this purpose, six series of measurements were carried out in duplicate over a time span of 2 months. The limits of quantification (LOQ) were 2.5 µg/kg (wet weight, ww) for CH3Hg+ and 1.2 µg/kg (ww) for Hg2+. The intermediate reproducibility in terms of coefficient of variation (CVR) was <6%. The bias (%) obtained for the analysis of four certified reference materials (CRMs), namely TORT-3 (lobster hepatopancreas), SRM 1566-b (oyster tissue), SQID-1 (cuttlefish) and NMIJ CRM 7402-a (cod fish tissue) was <7%. This demonstrates the method robustness and suitability for routine speciation analysis of CH3Hg+ and Hg2+ in fishery products. The method is intended to be applied for the analysis of the panel of fishery products and fish-based foods in the framework of the (ongoing) third French Total Diet Study.

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What is already known about this topic?: Chloropropanols, along with their fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters (GEs), are prevalent contaminants in a variety of processed foods, posing potential health risks to humans. What is added by this report?: In the Sixth China Total Diet Study (TDS), 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPD esters) and GEs were identified as the predominant chloropropanols and their esters in composite food samples. Vegetables (47.0%) and cereals (15.4%) were the major contributors to exposure among the 12 food categories evaluated. What are the implications for public health practice?: The Sixth China TDS highlighted concerns regarding potential health risks associated with dietary exposure to GEs. This study underscores the need for further attention in devising practical strategies to mitigate dietary exposure to GEs.

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Acrylamide (AA) is formed in foods due to thermal processes. AA was analysed in 230 foods in the first German Total Diet Study and the highest mean levels of AA were found in vegetable crisps (1430 µg/kg), followed by potato pancakes (558) µg/kg) and pan-fried potatoes (450 µg/kg). In various foods, e.g. French fries and sweet potatoes, AA was also tested for different browning degrees and cooking methods. French fries cooked to a browning degree of 3 in all cooking methods exceeded the benchmark level set by the European Union. French fries prepared in the oven and sweet potatoes in the air fryer had the lowest AA levels. In foods from the German market, AA was found also in foods such as popcorn (243 µg/kg), salty sticks (190 µg/kg), and dark chocolate (130 µg/kg). Levels of AA found in our study may support future dietary exposure and food safety assessments.

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The development of multi-analyte methods is always challenging, especially when the target compounds derive from many different substance classes. We present an approach to analyze up to 60 additives - mainly plasticizer - including 28 phthalates and 32 further compounds such as sebacates, adipates, citrates, fatty acid amides, among others. Our multi-analyte multi-technique approach combines a single sample preparation step with one GC-MS/MS and two LC-MS/MS quantification methods. We demonstrate the applicability for beverages by a full validation in tomato juice matrix and determining the recoveries in apple juice, mulled wine, and spirits. The approach features good reproducibilities and high precisions with limits of quantification in the low µg·kg-1 food range, enabling the method to be applied for enforcement and especially for exposure investigations. In course of the BfR MEAL study, 16 pooled beverage samples were examined and - if at all - analytes were found only in very low concentrations.

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The occurrence of persistent organic pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food represents a public health concern. The BfR MEAL Study was initiated to generate a comprehensive data base of occurrence data for chemicals in the most consumed foods in Germany. Non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) and PBDEs were analysed in 300 foods, purchased and prepared representatively for the eating behaviour of the population in Germany. Highest levels of NDL-PCBs and PBDEs were detected in spiny dogfish, cod liver, herring, and eel. High NDL-PCB and PBDE levels were observed in other oily fish, wild boar meat, sheep liver, and high-fat dairy products. The comparison of food from conventional and organic production revealed higher NDL-PCB values in the food group 'meat and meat products' if produced organically. Occurrence data of this study will improve future dietary exposure and risk assessments in Germany.

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This study evaluated zinc, manganese, copper, and magnesium intake levels in Koreans using the Korean Total Diet Study, targeting 92-93% of the Korean diet. Representative foods were collected from 9 cities, resulting in 1344-1368 samples. Results showed adequate intake for most minerals, but high proportions of adults and adolescents didn't meet recommended levels. Infants had high levels of zinc and manganese intake, posing possible health concerns. This is the first comprehensive assessment of these nutrients in Korea and is significant for considering all age groups, including infants, by analyzing nutrient content for table-ready (cooked) samples of foods. It is hoped that the Korean Total Diet Survey will be expanded to assess a wider range of nutrients for better nutrient intake assessment in Korea. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01394-y.

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A total diet study is often used to evaluate a population's baseline dietary exposure to chemical hazards from across the diet. In 2021-2023, Singapore carried out a TDS, and this article presents an overview of the study design and methodological selections in Singapore's TDS, as well as its relevance to ensuring food safety. A food consumption survey was conducted on Singapore citizens and permanent residents, where food consumption patterns of the Singapore population were identified. The selection of chemical hazards and foods for inclusion in Singapore's TDS, as well as principal considerations on sampling, food preparation, and analytical testing are discussed. Commonly consumed foods by the Singapore population in food categories such as grain and grain-based products, meat and meat products, fish and seafood, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy products were included in this study, and mean concentrations of chemicals tested in each food category were reported, with food categories possessing higher levels identified. Future work will include dietary exposure assessments for the population and analysis of the contributions by food and cooking method.

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This study estimates the intake of arsenic, lead and cadmium by the adult population (aged 18-91) of Cuba. The food consumption indices were obtained through 24-h dietary recall surveys applied to 450 people between October 2020 and March 2021. The Estimated Dietary Intake (EDI) of t-As (54.6 µg/day), Pb (118.5 µg/day) and Cd (35.1 µg/day) complied with Cuban legislation but was higher than the EDI for Cd established by the CONTAM Panel. The Target Hazard Quotients for the three contaminants were: iAs (0.220), Pb (0.409) and Cd (0.424), making the value of the Total Target Hazard Quotient 1.05, which indicates potential health risks for the population. Additionally, associated carcinogenic risks were: iAs (1.0·10-4), Pb (7.2·10-4) and Cd (25.9·10-4). Therefore, 10, 72 and 259 persons per 100,000 inhabitants are likely prone to developing cancer due to the ingestion of iAs, Pb and Cd, respectively.

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ObjectiveTo conduct comprehensive assessment of internal and external cadmium exposure and health risks for Shanghai residents. MethodsCadmium levels in food samples were calculated by employing two dietary exposure assessment methods， total diet study （TDS） and food frequency questionnaire （FFQ）， to estimate the daily dietary cadmium exposure of Shanghai residents. The provisional tolerable monthly intake （PTMI） of cadmium set by joint food and agriculture organization/WHO expert committee on food additives （JECFA） was applied to evaluate the health risk. Differences in dietary and urinary cadmium were compared by rank-sum test among different regions， age， gender， smoking status， and BMI groups， and the association between internal and external cadmium exposure was investigated by correlation analysis. ResultsThe mean value of urinary cadmium for 1 300 respondents was 0.542 μg·L-1. Urinary cadmium was higher in the population in central urban and urban-rural fringe areas than in the suburban area， higher in the older age group than in the younger age group， and higher in the smoking group than in the non-smoking group （all P<0.01）. The two assessment methods showed that the mean values of daily dietary cadmium exposure for Shanghai residents were 0.306 and 0.090 μg·kg-1， with 3.69% and 0.85% of Shanghai residents exceeding the PTMI， respectively. Correlation analyses showed that dietary exposure to cadmium based on the FFQ method was positively correlated with the urinary cadmium level when smoking status， age， gender， and BMI were adjusted. ConclusionDietary exposure to cadmium of Shanghai residents is mainly derived from vegetables， aquatic products， cereals and potatoes， and is overall at a low-risk level. Dietary exposure assessment based on FFQ and risk monitoring data can effectively estimate long-term cadmium exposure.

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Total diet studies (TDS) and food monitoring programmes are different approaches for collecting occurrence data on substances in food. This case study evaluated the practical applicability of TDS data (BfR MEAL Study) and monitoring data for the assessment of long-term cadmium exposure in children in Germany. Cadmium data from both programmes were combined with food consumption data from the KiESEL study. Uncertainties associated with both assessments were systematically described. Using monitoring data resulted in cadmium intakes approximately 3 times higher than the use of BfR MEAL Study data. Incomplete data and neglect of market shares and consumption weights were considered by conservative data adjustments to the monitoring data and mainly explain the higher estimates. Fewer data adjustments were necessary for BfR MEAL Study data, which covered almost the entire diet and considered consumer behaviour during sample collection and sample preparation. In sum, the use of the BfR MEAL Study data resulted in less uncertainty and more reliable exposure estimates for chronic assessments over the entire diet. However, description of variability and upper tails of substance distributions in food remain essential features of monitoring data. The integration of both programmes into a complementary system further improves food safety.

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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe dietary intake and important dietary sources to pollutants as well as to identify maternal socio-economic and lifestyle factors associated with high intake during pregnancy in women residing in a Mediterranean city with heavy industrial activity. METHODS: Dietary intake during pregnancy of As, InAs, Cd, MeHg, Pb, PCDD/Fs, DL-PCBs, and NDL-PCBs in 701 pregnant women participating in the longitudinal ECLIPSES study was calculated based on a 45-item food-frequency questionnaire and a database of pollutants in food of the Catalan Food Safety Agency. Details on socio-economic, lifestyle, and anthropometric variables were also collected. RESULTS: The mean dietary intake of pollutants per day and the food group that contributed the most (%) was: 286.51 µg of As (71.27% from white fish), 4.14 µg of InAs (70.16% from cereals-tubers), 6.27 µg of Cd (47.51% from seafood), 5.00 µg of MeHg (52.88% from blue fish), 3.32 µg of Pb (30.15% from cereals-tubers), 9.93 pg of PCDD/Fs (from many food categories), 18.39 pg of DL-PCBs (59.74% from blue fish) and 181.00 ng of NDL-PCBs (44.58% from blue fish). Adjusted multivariate analysis revealed that older age was associated with high As intake, higher educational level was related to low InAs, Cd, and DL-PCBs intake, and alcohol use and smoking were linked with high Pb intake. CONCLUSION: The dietary intake of pollutants including As and DL-PCBs among pregnant women exceeds or almost reaches the EFSA safety threshold. These findings support the urgent need for local governments to pay special attention to this situation and develop specific prevention strategies for this vulnerable group.

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Dietary intakes of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) were assessed in the Thai Total Diet Study (TDS) in 2019. Food samples including portable water (n = 1048) were collected from four regions of Thailand to represent a whole diet of Thai population, prepared as consumed and analyzed. To estimate the dietary intakes of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs, the concentrations in 18 food groups were combined with the respective food consumption from the national consumption data of Thailand and with a mean body weight of 57.57 kg for Thai population aged ≥ 3 years. The dietary intakes of PCDD/Fs, DL-PCBs and ∑PCDD/Fs/DL-PCBs were estimated to be 8.09, 4.93 and 13.02 pg WHO2005-TEQ kg-1 body weight month-1, respectively (upper bound). The major contributors to the total dietary intake were marine animals, followed by milk and milk products, freshwater animals, pork and pork products, and eggs, corresponding to 26, 22, 21, 10 and 9%, respectively. In comparison to health-based guidance value (HBGV), the intake of ∑PCDD/Fs/DL-PCBs (upper bound) was equal to 19% of the provisional tolerable monthly intake set by JECFA in 2001. Moreover, a comparison with other HBGVs was additionally presented and discussed.

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Ethyl carbamate (EC) is carcinogenic, and, in China, oral intake of EC mainly occurs as a result of the consumption of alcoholic beverages. To obtain the latest EC intake and risk analysis results for the general population in China, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) conducted the sixth total diet study (TDS) as a platform to analyze EC contents and exposure due to the intake of alcoholic beverages. A total of 100 sites in 24 provinces were involved in the collection and preparation of alcohol mixture samples for the sixth TDS. There were 261 different types of alcohol collected across the country, based on local dietary menus and consumption survey results. Ultimately, each province prepared a mixed sample by mixing their respective samples according to the percentage of local consumption. The EC levels of these twenty-four mixed samples were determined using our well-validated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. The values ranged from 1.0 µg/kg to 33.8 µg/kg, with 10.1 µg/kg being the mean. China's EC daily intake ranged from 0.001 ng/kg bw/d to 24.56 ng/kg bw/d, with a mean of 3.23 ng/kg bw/d. According to the margin of exposure (MOE), virtually safe dose (VSD), and T25 risk assessments of the carcinogenicity of EC, the mean lifetime cancer risk for the Chinese population was 9.8 × 104, 1.5 × 10-7, and 8.6 × 10-8, respectively. These data show that the carcinogenicity of EC in the general Chinese population due to alcoholic intake is essentially minimal.

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Ultraviolet (UV) filters are emerging contaminants that have been found in high concentrations in human tissues. Food intake is generally considered to be the primary route of human exposure to contaminants. In this study, 184 composite food samples, prepared from 4268 individual samples in eight categories collected from 23 Chinese provinces for the sixth Chinese total diet study, were analyzed. The total and median UV filter concentrations in food samples were 1.5-68.3 and 7.9 ng/g wet weight, respectively. The highest median concentrations were found in decreasing order in meat, cereals, and legumes. In total, 15 UV filters were analyzed. 2-Ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, and 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate were dominant and made median contributions of 34.1%, 22.6%, and 14.5%, respectively, and 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-di-tert-pentylphenol contributed the median of 0.03%, of the total UV filter concentrations. The estimated total daily UV filter intake in animal-origin foods and total UV filter concentration in human milk from the same province were significantly correlated (r = 0.44, p < 0.05). Predicted absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination properties led to 10 UV filters being prioritized as most likely to be retained in human tissues. The prioritization results and toxicity assessments indicated that octocrylene and 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate have stronger effects in vivo and therefore require more attention than others.

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Perchlorate is an environmental contaminant that has both natural and anthropogenic sources. Widespread contamination of various foods with perchlorate can be caused by water, soil, and fertilizer. Because of concerns about the health effects of perchlorate, attention has focused on its occurrence in food and potential human exposure. In this study, the dietary exposures of Chinese adult males and breastfed infants to perchlorate were evaluated using data from the sixth China Total Diet Study and the third National Breast Milk Monitoring Program conducted between 2016 and 2019. In the sixth China Total Diet Study, perchlorate was detected in 94.8 % of composite dietary samples (n = 288) from 24 provinces in China, while for the third National Breast Milk Monitoring, perchlorate was found in 100 % of pooled breast milk samples (n = 100) collected from 100 cities/counties in China. Vegetables were found to be the main source of dietary exposure for Chinese adult males. Furthermore, the concentrations in breast milk between urban (n = 34, mean: 38.6 µg/L) and rural (n = 66, mean: 59.0 µg/L) regions from 100 cities/counties in China were not significantly different. On average, the estimated daily intake of Chinese adult males (18-45 years) to perchlorate was 0.449 µg/kg bw/day, while that for breastfed infants (0-24 months) was 3.21-5.43 µg/kg bw/day. The exposure to perchlorate in breastfed infants was almost 10-fold greater than that of Chinese adult males.

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Nutrient elements are essential for human health. The intake of nutrient elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Mo, and Cr) in the general Chinese population was comprehensively evaluated via a recent total diet study (2016-2019), covering more than two-thirds of the total population. The contents of nutrient elements in 288 composite dietary samples were determined by ICP-MS. The dietary sources, regional distribution, the relationship with the earth's crust, dietary intake, and health effects were discussed. Plant foods were the main source of both macro-elements and trace elements, accounting for 68-96% of total intake. Trace elements in food were compatible with their abundance in the earth's crust. Na intake reduced by 1/4 over the last decade but was still high. The average intake of Ca, Mg, Zn, and Se did not reach the health guidance values, while the average intake of K, P, Mn, Fe, Cu, Mo, and Cr fell within a reasonable range. No element exceeded the UL. However, an imbalance was identified in the dietary Na/K ratio and Ca/P ratio. This paper provides a most recent and national-representative assessment of nutrient element intake, indicating the significance of salt reduction and dietary structure optimization for the population.

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This study presents the first nationwide study on the chronic health risks of chlorothalonil and its metabolite (4-OH-chlorothalonil) for Chinese adults and breastfed infants via dietary intake. The determination of chlorothalonil and 4-OH-chlorothalonil in dietary samples was accomplished by cold-induced liquid-liquid extraction using liquid chromatography─high-resolution mass spectrometry. Chlorothalonil and 4-OH-chlorothalonil were detected in 43.1 and 46.1% of total dietary samples, respectively, while only 4-OH-chlorothalonil was detected in 100% of breast milk samples. Chlorothalonil and 4-OH-chlorothalonil residues in dietary samples of Northwest China and Shandong regions were higher in comparison to those of other regions. No correlation between 4-OH-chlorothalonil residues in breast milk and adult daily dietary intake to total chlorothalonil indicates the presence of other exposure routes besides dietary exposure. Furthermore, a residue analysis of 4-OH-chlorothalonil in breast milk between urban and rural areas in all sampling locales showed no statistical difference (p > 0.05). The findings of this study reveal that the chronic health risks caused by dietary exposure to chlorothalonil and 4-OH-chlorothalonil are low for Chinese adults and breastfed infants.

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