ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN READY-TO-EAT (RTE) VEGETABLES SALADS SOLD WITHIN KANO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Ready-to-eat (RTE) salads prepared from leafy vegetables sold in the streets are now common in Kano metropolis due to their convenience and acceptance by consumers. Due to the unhygienic environmental conditions and other condiments used in its preparation, vegetable salad could be contaminated with heavy metals. This study aimed to determine heavy metals safety of RTE salads hawked in Kano metropolis, Kano state, Nigeria. Forty samples of RTE salads were purposely purchase from eight local government areas of Kano metropolis and were analyzed for the presence of Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results of the analysis showed the concentration of Hg (3.208 - 1.220 mg/kg), Cr (0.756 - 0.212 mg/kg), Pb (0.392 - 0.036 mg/kg) and Cd (0.056 - 0.044). It was therefore concluded that vegetable salad sold in Kano metropolis are prone to public health concerns since the levels of Hg, Cr and Pb were found to be above the permissible limits of 0.01, 0.1 and 0.1 (for leafy vegetables) ratified by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Thus, prevention of heavy metals contamination in vegetables salads is necessary, this will help in prevention of acute and chronic health problems due to exposure to heavy metals from consuming street vended RTE vegetables salads in this region.