Heavy metals risks in plant foods – need to step up precautionary measures

Abstract

Plant foods have been a major source of human sustenance from the primeval ages, and have continued to do so in recent times. Unfortunately, this food subgroup represents a significant source of food-borne contaminants, especially heavy metals. Some heavy metals are nonessential and toxic, even at the minutest concentration, with accumulative tendencies in human tissues. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals in plant foods grown in contaminated areas can, therefore, seriously affect food quality and safety. The consumption of such foods presents a potential risk to global food security and healthy living. However, understanding the risk posed by these metals through the food chain is complicated by the fact that multiple sources are implicated in heavy metal exposure in food. Food safety is a global priority for better human health, and precaution must, therefore, be taken to contain the menace of heavy metal contamination of plant foods.